Kodial Theru (Brahmarathotsava) At Venkataramana Temple in Mangalore

Hodu Teru

Mangalore, Jan 30, 2012:  Devotees Participated In  The Brahma Rathotsava,(also referred to as Kodial Theru) of  Lord Shri Venkataramana Held At  Car Street Mangalore On Monday. which happens to the fifth day of the six-day Car Festival at the temple.

On Magha Shuddha Saptami (Ratha Saptami) is the Brahmarathotsava. On this auspicious day after Prarthana ,Lord Veera Venkatesha Swamy(Patta Devaru) and Lord Srinivasa(Utsava Murthy) are conveyed to Thirtha Mantapa, wherein Panchamrithabhisheka, Pulakabhisheka, Shatakalashabhisheka are performed.Thousands of tender coconuts pile up for the same. This will be followed by Naivedya and Madhyana Puja. Then utsava Deity  presides to the Yajna Mantapa.

In the evening the much awaited occasion arises.  Lord Veera Venkatesha Swamy ,adorned with jewels and flowers ascends the Golden Palanquein along with the Utsava Deity and Mahabali Utsava follows. The grandeur of  Lord Veera Venkatesha Swamy being seated in the Golden Palanquein is so magnificent that it makes the piety people reach the culmination of their devotion.

 The Hodu Teru is such a remarkable event that enormous crowd muster in the Temple Square where the exquisitely embellished chariot (Hodu Teru) is situated , to witness the spectacle of  Lord Veera Venkatesha Swamy enthroning the Brahmaratha. The ambience of the place gets so exuberant, that the cheerful aura coerces people to forget their woes and  contemplate on the Lord, who alone can bring an end to their agonies .

The Ratha Puja is performed. And having watched the Lord ensconced on His Majestic Throne their joy knows no bounds and they relish the event incessantly forevermore. Even a glimpse of Lord Vishnu on chariot is regarded as highly sacred and saints, scriptures, learned have glorified and confirmed the sanctity of it.

Prasadam is granted to the incumbent  and erstwhile management members. Narlu-kele is offered by devotees to the Lord on Brahmaratha. In the meantime Samaradhana is served.  At night the Hodu Teru is pulled through the Car Street. The devotees are of a firm belief that, as the Lord rides on the chariot,

He destroys in a flash all the sins of his devotees, howsoever grave and unpardonable they be. After Rathotsava , Golden Palanquein utsava and Vasantha Puja are held. That concludes the proceedings for the day.

 Pic By R.K.BHAT/MANGALORE/KARNATAKA/INDIA