Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Nov 27: Kodi Habba and Rathotsava was held at Sri Kotilingeshwara temple, one of the seven holy places of coastal Karnataka, situated at Dhwajapura of Koteshwara on Monday.

Religious rituals had begun from November 20 itself as part of Koteshwara Rathostava, which has the distinction of being the first chariot festival of coastal Karnataka. On Monday at 11.31 am muhurtham Sri Manmaharathosava was held.

Circling of Eagles during the Koteshwara Rathosava is a natural occurrence. Many devotees wait for the eagle to arrive. The devotees got elated when the Eagle took rounds of the chariot procession on Monday too.

M Prabhakara Shetty, Prasanna Kumar Aithal, Prashant Kumar Shetty, S Raghavendra Rao, Suresh Sheregar, Chandrika Dhanya, Sharada Moodugopadi, Manjunatha Acharya, Bharathi, priests, staff, villagers of Koteshwara and scores of devotees were present.

The religious ceremonies began on November 20 with Ankurarohana ritual. On November 28 the programme will end with cultural presentation.

Newly married couples of Koteshwara and nearby vicinity believe that this temple is life giver to new child and have bath in the Kotitheertha, take darshan of Lord and carry sugarcane Kodi together.

On the day of Rathostav devotees who have made vow make rounds around the pond that is on an area of five acres with the belief that their intentions will be fulfilled. They have bath in the pond and spread the home grown rice on white cloth around the pond.