Report by Melka Miyar - pics - Ganesh S Perla (GA)
Moodbidri, May 2: Shri Manmatha Rathotsava (Car Festival) of Shridevi Annapurneshwari Kshetra at Kodyadka here was held on Tuesday May 1 midnight with great devotion.
Hosanadu Kodyadka, earlier known as Kodyadka which is located 40 kilometres away from Mangalore and 7 kilometres away from National Highway 13, witnessed the magnificent moments with devotees thronging in from all corners.
Bali utsava (sacrificial fest) in which deity was taken on a procession along with band and tableaux was held at 10 pm. ‘Gombeyata’ (puppet show) of Chilipili Gombe Balaga Bantwal and escorted by an elephant Lakshmi was the specialty of the occasion. Later the idol of goddess was taken to temple on procession on palakki.
The temple located on almost 4 acres of land was inaugurated 11 years ago. Within a short period, this place has come to be recognized as an important pilgrimage place of Dakshina Kannada. The serene atmosphere, clean surroundings and nature's magnificence around the temple refreshes the minds of devotees who visit the temple.
The 71 feet tall statue of Shri Sanjivini Hanumanta which is under construction is drawing the attention of the visitors here. The administrators here are confident of completing its construction within a short span of time.
Early evening, cultural programmes were held here to commemorate the annual celebration. N S Satish Venur performed ‘Bhakti Rasamanjari’ (devotional songs concert) and comedy. Later Geeta Saralaya and her team presented ‘Nrutyarpanam’ (dance programme) which entertained the visitors here.
Grand Car Festival started at about 12.15 am. Along with Kodyadka Jayaram Hegde, founder administrator of the temple, Raghuram Hegde and Aravind Hegde and Dattatreya Bhat, temple priest of the Kshetra, thousands of devotees participated in car pulling ceremony with great zeal and devotion.
Vedamurti Edapadavu Narayan Tantri officiated the entire religious ceremony on the occasion.
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