Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Pavanapuresha-Series

Pavanapuresha series part 16:The annual temple festival (Utsavam):

The 10 day festival conducted in February-March every year is a major attraction. The focus is on various pujas & rituals which are important for the temple's prosperity.

On the inaugural day, at the auspicious moment, the temple flag is hoisted on the 110 ft tall flagstaff. Before this all temple elephants stand in a line half a mile from the eastern entrance. They run towards the temple and through the eastern portion of it. The elephant which reaches the flagstaff first has to stay within temple walls for the rest of the festival. Once there was no elephant available at the start of the festival - the temple did not own any elephant at that time. An elephant at a festival in a temple called Trikkanamatilakam suddenly turned around, ran all the way to Guruvayur & arrived in time for the festival. To commemorate this, an elephant race is held every year.

On the following 6 days there are grand elephant processions thrice a day with 5 elephants(there are normally only 3). There is also a puja called 'Sribhuta Bali' (offerings to the 'bhutas' or the Lord's attendants), twice a day. On the 8th day is the Utsavabali when offerings to all Gods & goddesses are made on the southern side of the temple, after which devotees, animals & birds are fed.

On the 9th day the elephant procession comes outside the temple. After a full round when the deity comes inside it is taken out on another elephant for a ceremony called 'Pallivetta' or 'hunting'. Men put on animal disguises & join in. This ceremony portraying the Lord as the divine hunter symbolises destruction of our inner evils such as anger, jealousy & desire.

The final day is marked by 'Aarattu' or 'bathing' of the Lord. After the procession around the temple & the tank, the deity is brought to the tank where it is dipped in the holy water amidst chanting of mantras. The place is said to acquire the sanctity of Kashi & Ganga at this time & hence scores of people also take a dip chanting the Lord's name. The following night, after 11 fast rounds inside the temple, the deity returns to the main shrine & the temple flag is lowered. May Jagaannatha, the lord of the universe bless everyone.

Hare Krishna