Pics: Thejaswi U Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Apr 20: The Ashtabandha Brahmakalashotsava of Bannanje Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple was held with traditional religious fervour on Monday, April 20, drawing a large number of devotees from across the region.
The five-day religious event, which commenced on April 16, concluded with the grand Brahmakalashotsava ceremony at 9.15 am on April 20. The temple, revered by devotees across eight traditional regions (Maganes), witnessed an overwhelming spiritual atmosphere throughout the celebrations.
The sacred rituals were conducted under the guidance of P Shashikanth Tantri, in the presence of chief priest P Vasudeva Upadhyaya. A series of religious ceremonies including Parikalasha Abhisheka, Kalanyasa, Maha Pooja, and Palla Pooja were performed with devotion and adherence to tradition.
Thousands of devotees participated in the festivities, offering prayers, seeking blessings of the deity, and receiving prasadam. Halu Payasam prasadam was sponsored by Bhuvanendra Kediyoor, proprietor of Hotel Kediyoor.
The cultural programmes held on the concluding day were inaugurated by Bhuvanendra Kediyoor along with other dignitaries. The series of religious and cultural programmes, held over five days, concluded on a spiritually uplifting note, leaving devotees with a deep sense of devotion and fulfillment.
The series of religious and cultural programmes, which commenced on Thursday, April 16, continued until Monday, April 20. The cultural event on April 20 was inaugurated by Bhuvanenedra Kediyoor, proprietor of Hotel Kediyoor along with other dignitaries.
The celebrations witnessed the presence of several prominent personalities including Dr Nadoja G Shankar, honorary advisor of the Brahmakalashotsava Committee; Yashpal Suvarna, MLA Udupi constituency; Muniyal Uday Kumar, political leader; B Madhav Poojary, president of the temple management committee; Ramesh Kanchan, convener of the Brahmakalashotsava Committee; and committee members Dinesh Putran, M Prabhakar Shetty, Shekar Shetty, U Sudesh Shet, Rajesh B, Vidyalatha U Shetty, Shamitha S Bhandary, Raviraj, among others.