- 1 -

--: The Glory & Grandeur of Hindu Festival :-- (Kodial Teru that attracts people from all communities)

Pictures of

rathotsava

- -- -- -- - CAR FESTIVAL CAR FESTIVAL CAR FESTIVAL CAR FESTIVAL

IN IN IN IN MMMMANGALOREANGALOREANGALOREANGALORE

Thousands of devotees the world over, gather every year to witness this event and to taste the prasadam in the form of feast. It is more or less, an annual get

together for the GSB community in Mangalore!

The annual rathotsava this year is signified by 'mrigabete utsav' and 'small theru' on the 1st of February, 'brahma rathotsav' on the 2nd & 'avabhratotsava' or 'okuli'

on February 3rd (please read a brief report on page 13).

-- Vivek Shenoy

- 2 -

- 3 -

- 4 -

- 5 -

- 6 -

- 7 -

- 8 -

- 9 -

- 10 -

- 11 -

- 12 -

- 13 -

Kodial Teru attracts people from all communities…

CAR FESTIVAL IN MANGALORE

-- Annual get-together for the GSB community!

Volunteers clad in red dhoti robes popularly known as 'Paatte Thodopu' were seen enthusiastically running around with small 'Kataars', serving devotees sumptuous feast of piping hot steamed white rice and the side dishes!

Different sweet dishes were served to all the devotees on all the days of feast.

Thousands of devotees the world over, gather every year to witness this event and to taste the prasadam in the form of feast. It is more or less, a get together for the GSB community every year!

Every year, Rathotsava Feast is served in at least 5 rounds within the Temple and the surrounds.

The annual Rathotsava this year is signified by 'Mrigabete Utsav' and 'Small Theru' on the 1st of February, 'Brahma Rathotsav' on the 2nd and 'Avabhratotsava' or 'Okuli' on February 3rd.

On all the five days, the deity is taken out with enchanting manthras around Car Street in a Pallakki or sedan.

On the final day today, HH Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, the most pious Guruji of GSBs graced the occasion and delivered his message of peace and harmony to human kind.

Present during the Ratharohana were Dr. P. Dayananda Pai and Sathish Pai, patrons of GSB Community, The Trustees of Sri Venkatramana Temple and other dignitaries, who were blessed by the Swamiji and were given the prasadam.

Deities of Lord Venkatramana and Goddess Padmavathi were ceremoniously brought in the golden sedan to the Brahmaratha. After five rounds, amidst Jai Jaikaar by the devotees, the deities were taken up the ladder and installed within the Ratha.

Pooja was offered by the devotees who patiently waited in the queue till almost 11.00 P.M.

Feast was served within the Temple surrounds to thousands of devotees while the pooja was in progress.

The Brahma Ratha was pulled around midnight, while people greeted The Lord with utmost devotion! Fire crackers greeted the Lord with colours and sound.

Kodial Teru attracts people from all communities. Now a days, many a GSB youth take their friends for the feast to share the joy of the festival and togetherness!

It also inspires young hearts for match making!

-- Vivek Shenoy