Rathotsavam 2009

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Major Events & Festivals

 

 

 

 

Rathotsavam

The main festival in the temple is the Rathothsavam, the car festival, in the month of Phalguna (March-April). On the day of the Uthram Star in the Bright half of the month, the temple flag is hoisted and the care festival continues from that day to the day of the Moolam Star - for nine days. Surrounded by the majestic mountains and the blooming forest with varied hues and fragrance, the shrine of Sri Mookambika invokes the springs of beauty in human heart filling it with a joy divine. Thousands join the Rathothsavam, by drawing the great chariot of the Divine Mother, symbolizing the need of a joint effort of mankind to bring about a new civilization based on a higher spiritual vision of life. The temple festivals suggest that man should make these inner depths a great center of festivity, of the joy of Self-discovery. He

has to make his mind a pit of Yajna fire of selfless work.He has to offer the negativity of his selfishness in that fire. From that fire will manifest the Divine Mother, the all-loving Supreme, who allays all fears, who makes man the Man Divine.

How well Sri Lalithaa Sahasranaama Stothram, the famous hymn of 1000 divine names addressed to Divine Mother describes this manifestation: Chidaghnikunda sambhoothaa Devakaarya Samudyataa

"Prostrations to Thee,who manifests in the yajana fire pit of consciousness,who helps fulfill the Goal Divine!"-The goal of the evolution of a super human civilization,when human heart will turn to be a scene of freedom and festivity.The temple festivals remind man of this destined possibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Festivals

On the bright half of the Jyesta month (June - July) in the Ashatmi day there is a special festival, as it is considered the day of the appearance of the Goddess. Special pooj-s is performed in the days of Mahaalakshmi Vratham, Mahaa Shivaraatri, Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Vinaayaka Chaturthi, Jyesta Lakshmi Vratham, etc.

The Navaraathri, the nine nights in the autumn (September-October), is a very auspicious occasion when thousands visit the temple. The special rites during this period are the Navakshari Kalasam, the Chandika Homam, the Rathothsavam, the Purnakumbha-abhishekam etc.

There is a very colourful festival Vana Bhojanam, in November December, when during night the festival idol of Devi is carried by a decorated and colourfully illuminated country craft across the Souparnika and offered worship in the forest. There is a feast for all on the next day at the river bank amidst the forest scenes.