Temples of Munnur (Historical Study)
by R. Muthuraman | 2016 | 67,784 words
This essay represents a historical study of the Temples in and around Munnur, situated in the Dakshina Kannada district in the state Karnataka (India). Munnur is regarded as an important religious city for the followers of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The ancient history of Munnur traces to the reign of the Chola, from whom the city derives it's ...
The Brahmotsavam Festival
Two days before the Brahmotsavam, a special abhisheka and puja are performed to Lord Vinayaka. This is called Vigneswara puja. Yagas are Performed at the yagasala, and Pidariurchavam is also conducted.
This festival starts by hoisting the flag, having a picture of the Rishaba, on the top of the flag stand (dvajasthamba).[1] D uring the Brahmotsavam (Brahmothsavam), the images of the Gods and Goddess, decorated with gold, silver jewellery and colourful flowers, are carried out in procession mounted on various Vahanas to different Mandagapadis arranged by the temple authorities.
The second day of the festival is the festival of Lord Chandrasekara and his consort. In the Muhamandapa abhisheka is conducted to the processional idol of Lord Chandrasekara and his consort. Then they are taken out in a procession on Chandraprabaivahana.
On the third day, the Urchavarpurappadu of Lord Siva takes place. The God, along with other deities, is taken out in Budhavahana.
On the fourth day, Siva is taken out in procession on Naga vahana in the evening celebration.
The fifth day of the festival is quite significant because Panchamoorti [Vinayaka, Subramanya, Chandikesvara and Amman] are anointed and decorated and special dipaaradhanas are performed to the deities. On the same night, Panchamocrtis are taken out from kalyanamandapa in procession round the four main streets of the temple.
On the sixth and seventh days, the images of Lord Adavalleswarar and Amman are brought and placed in the kalyanamandapa. On the night bathing and feast of the God and Goddess take place on a grand scale. The deities are taken out in procession mounted on Indra Vimana and Kailayavahana respectively.
On the morning of eighth day, abhisheka and aradhana are conducted for Panchamoortis. On the same night, wedding ceremony is performed for the Panchamoortis arid a procession of the images takes place.
On the ninth day the abhisheka is conducted to all the deities. In the morning a special abhisheka is performed for Siddhi Vinayaka. The main deity decorated with jewels.
The tenth day is the end of the Brahmotsavam. On the morning, a special abhisheka performed to Lord Nataraja and then a procession is undertaken. Subsequently, the temple flag is lowered down. This marks the end of Brahmotsavam festival. Finally, the celebration of Thirumanjanam put an end to this festival.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
A.R.E., 64 of 1919.