Devotees gathered to witness Rath Yathra of Sri Chamundeshwari Devi atop Chamundi Hills
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ENARADA, Mysore, October 8, 2014
Despite chilling weather, thousands of believers participated in Sri Chamundeshwari chariot procession atop Chamundi hills, today. The celebrations started as early as 4am with ‘Eka Mala Rudrabhisheka’, ‘Panchamrutha Abhisheka’ and other poojas.
After a special ‘alankara'(Decoration) and ‘Maha Mangalarathi’, devotees took darshan of Sri Chamundeshwari devi from 6:30am onwards.
The main event, ‘Rathothsava'(Chariot procession) began between 7:05am and 7:42am in Shuba Tula lagna , uttarabhadra nakshatra amid manthras and prayers.
As a custom, Chariot procession would begin in the presence of King and members of royal family of Mysore. As prince Srikantadatta Wodeyar passed away last year, there was none from royal family attended the procession, disappointing many devotees.
The ‘Nada Devathe’ (State Goddess of Karnataka) chariot procession began in front of the temple and went around around temple complex completing one round of pradakshine. While praising of Chamndeshwari by devotees reverberated hils, Nadaswara and Police band filled the air with spiritual rhythm. Veeragase nritya (indigenous dance form) was a feast to eyes.
Sri Shashishekara Dikshit, Main priest of Chamundi hills, offering lamps to Goddess Chamundeshwari prior to Car festival.
