Mangalore: The Car Festival of Sri Venkatramana Temple, Carstreet began on February 13, Wednesday with grand festivities. There was  Maha Prarthana in the  morning.

The beginning of the festival is marked by Gone Muhurtha followed by taking the idol of Lord Vankatramana     in a Bandi Utsav and a Gopura Utsav. Gopura Utsav will have the idol taken around the temple precincts five times.  The first round is Veda Suttu wherein hymns are chanted, followed by Bhajana Suttu wherein devotees render bhajans. The  third round is Chende Suttu when  there is drum beating and dhol beating followed by Vaadya Suttu wherein instruments like saxophone are played.

The fifth round is the Doundi Suttu wherein the idol is taken in a palanquin around the premises after which it is placed in the Vasantha Mantap and taken around the temple.

T he Car festival festivities would end on February 17.