Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 21: 'Laksha Deepotsava' began with traditional pomp and gaiety at Sri Krishna Math here on Tuesday, November 20.

A large number of devotees participated in the festivities. Car Street looked beautiful with many oil lamps lit in specially constructed wooden rows. Thousands of devotees lighted oil lamps.

Vidyasagar Theertha Swamiji of Krishnapura Math, Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Vishwaprasanna Theertha, junior seer of Pejawar Math, Vidya Vallabha Theertha of Kaniyoor Math, Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji of Palimar Math, Vishwavallabha Theertha Swamiji of Sode Math participated in the 'Kshiraabdhi' ritual at the Mantapa in the middle of 'Madhwa Sarovara' on the temple premises.

To mark the occasion, all Swamijis who were present, offered milk to Lord Krishna in front of the Tulasi Katte, a ritual called 'Kshiraabdhi’.

Utsava idols of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana were brought in a palanquin and placed in a decorated boat. It was taken around in ‘Madhwa Sarovara’, the temple lake thrice, marking the spectacular Teppotsava, followed by Rathotsava at Car Street here.

Earlier, Swamiji of Palimar Paryaya Math Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha accompanied by Pejawar Math junior pontiff Sri Vishwa Theertha and Kaniyoor Math pontiff Vidya Vallabha Theertha and Adamaru Math Swamiji Sri Eshapriya Theertha lighted lamps to Lord Krishna to mark ‘Deepa Prajwalana.’ Devotees too lighted lacs of lamps around Car Street to make illuminated installations all over the place.

Later, the idols of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana were kept in 'Garudaratha', while the idols of Lord Anantheshwara and Lord Chandrmaulishwara were placed in the 'Mahapoojaratha' and taken around Car Street.

Sri Vishwapriya Theertha Swamiji of Adamaru Math and Sri Vidyasagar Swamiji of Krishnapura Math were also present during Kshiraabdhi offering occasion.