by MR, Pics Prasanna Kodavoor, Team Mangalorean
Udupi: The “Churnotsava” or “Suvarnotsava” to Mark the culmination of the Saptotsava was held with traditional pomp and gaiety at Sri Krishna Math/Temple premises here on Thursday January 15.
The “Churnotsava” is held the day after the Three Chariot Festival – held on ‘Makara Sankranti’ on Wednesday. The Churnotsava marks the culmination of the “Sapthotsava” festivities.
Elaborate rituals marked the “Churnotsava”. The “utsava murtis” (the idols taken out during procession) of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana (Hanuman) were brought in a golden palanquin to the entrance of the Sri Krishna Math/Temple.
The deities were then shifted to the biggest chariot or “ratha” called the “Brahma Ratha”. After the idols were moved, Sri Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swami of Kaniyur Math, offered prayers to the deities in the chariot. Later the “Brahma Ratha” moved in a clockwise direction in Car Street and came back to the entrance of the Sri Krishna Math/Temple.
The idols of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana were shifted to the temple after the procession. The Swamijis and devotees went to the Madhwa Sarovara for the “Avabrita Snana” or purificatory bath. Later, a large number of devotees were served food during the “Annasantharpane” at the temple.