Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)

Udupi, Jan 9: The annual Saptotsav programme organized by Paryaya Shri Puttige Math commenced on January 9 and will continue until January 15. On January 14, three chariot festivals will take place to mark Makar Sankranti, followed by the Churnotsav and a daytime chariot procession on January 15.

The festivities began with a Teppotsav, followed by a two-chariot procession. This year’s special highlights include a dance and bhajan performance titled ‘Vaibhavotsav’ around the Ratha Beedi, and various competitions at Rajangana to commemorate the birth centenary of Ahilyabai Holkar. Cultural programmes will also take place daily at Rajangana.

The week-long Saptotsava celebrations will feature prominent participants, including John Mulholland, a Member of Parliament from Victoria, Australia, and Shri Pundarik Goswami, a renowned preacher from Mathura Gaudiya Madhwa Math. Both dignitaries will participate in the Makar Sankranti celebrations and the Three Chariot Festival on January 14. The festival will conclude on January 15 with the Churnotsava.

The festivities on January 9 began with a music performance by renowned artist Sudham Dandeli. On January 11, a millet festival will be held at Rajangana at 10 AM, followed by an English Yakshagana performance, Seethapaharana and Jatayu Moksha, by Yaksha Nandana, Mangalore, at 7 PM. Madhva Mantapa will host a Gamaka Vyakhyana on Tulasiramayana Choodamani Prasanga by Chandrakala Sharma and Sujala N Bhat at 10 AM, followed by a Veena recital by R P Prashanth and R P Pramod at 4 PM.

On January 12, Vaibhavotsava will include devotional dances by 24 teams along Rathabeedi. To honor Ahilyabai Holkar’s birth tricentennial, various activities such as art, essay, and costume competitions, along with seminars, will take place from 10 AM to 4 PM, followed by an address by the Parayaya Shri. At 4 PM, the 6th annual Panchavadyam Rajatapeetapuram celebrations will feature a performance by Chirakkal Nidheesh and his team at Rajangana. This will be followed by a presentation by Kerala’s renowned Vattapalam Hari and his team.

Morning sessions at Madhva Mantapa will feature a Tabla-Harmonium jugalbandi by Bhimashankar Mysore from 10 AM to 12 PM and a music concert by a 10-member team from Govardhan School of Music at 4 PM. The day will conclude with a unique dance performance by the Ramamurthy troupe at Rajangana.