On May 5th this year, KALYANOTSAVA of BĔLŬRU CHENNAKESHAVA was organized by one of the
devotees of the deity,
H.R. Narayanamurthy of Haasanamba Toolings, Bangalore. Mr. A V Nagaraju is his maternal uncle, so got the opportunity of witnessing the said momentous program. Just glance their experiences.
Mr. A V Nagaraju narrates……..
As the program was fixed between 4.30 p.m and 8.30 p.m, we
reached Bĕlŭru at 3.30 p.m, got fresh and went to the temple by 4.15 p.m. We were asked to represent brides’ side for some time and later on to represent grooms’ side while the priests were chanting the mantras. After that, the deities were taken on a pallakki lifted by nearly 8 persons and moved around in the town to cover seven roads. The traditional Olagadavaru were playing their instruments to the delight of the
devotees rendering classical and devotional songs. On the way, the devotees from the houses alongside came out with Aarathi plate and offered pooja to the deities. We reached the temple back by about 7 p.m. Then two teams of priests took out the deities, one batch carrying the idol of Lord Channakeshava and the other batch carrying the deities of goddesses Sowmyanayaki and Ranganayaki. The two batches were made to stand facing each other, about 20 feet apart.
The garlanding of the brides by the groom and the groom by the brides commenced. This is known by the name “Saman Maalaarpane”. Two priests, one standing near the groom and the other near the brides, each holding a garland in their hands started moving towards the opposite side. That is, the grooms’ priest moved towards the brides and brides’ side priest started moving towards the groom. On the way they crossed each other. When they reached the opposite party i.e., grooms’ priest reached the bride and brides’ priest reached the groom, the garland was put on that deity. This was repeated two times since there were two brides and one groom. The devotees assembled around were given Aralu to hold in their hands till these formalities were over. The priests continued chanting mantras throughout. After that, the brides were taken to the side of the groom and their palanquins were placed side by side. When this was over, the devotees showered the Aralu on the newly wed couples. The deities were then taken to the temple sanctum sanctorium and placed there for further poojas.
Then three deities were worshipped by offering flowers, arisina, kumkuma and fruits. By then it was 9.00 p.m. The mangalasutrams placed at the foot of Lord Channakeshava were then taken by the chief priest and placed at the foot of the two goddesses Sowmyanayaki and Ranganayaki and Arathi was performed. The devotees were then asked to offer the gifts in cash or kind to the newly wed couple. There was rendition of different sevas like veda ghoshas, nadhaswaram, devotional and classical songs. Interested and enthusiastic devotees could also perform nritya seva depicting any of the episodes of the mythological sequences. Then prasadam were distributed among the devotees gathered and the program came to a close.
Thereafter, whoever wished to pay whatever they want to the priests who participated in the said program and the persons who carried the palanquins, could do so. We were happy to lend our shoulders while carrying the palanquins through the streets of Bĕlŭru town. We enjoyed the whole process of Kalyanotsava with devotion. I hope that Hoysalakarnataka BandugaLu would also enjoy the same, while going through this article/report. If they are happy and satisfied my efforts are successful.
It is said that the Kalyanotsava of Lord Channakeshava is held once in one or two years since very few devotees come forward opting for such a pooja.
For more details please contact: agilanag@rediffmail.com