Udupi : Laksha Deepotsava was celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety here on Tuesday Nov 4. Devotees thronged Car Street to take part in the festivities. The ritual of ‘Kshiraabdhi’ was performed at the ‘mantapa’ in the middle of the Madhwa Sarovara on the Sri Krishna Temple premises at around 4 p.m.

Sri Vidya Vallabhateertha Swamiji of Kaniyoor Math and other Swamiji’s participated in the ‘Kshiraabdhisheka’ ritual at the mantap in the middle of the Madhwa Sarovar .

After the evening prayers, the idols (‘utsava murthis’) of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana were brought on a palanquin and placed in a decorated float at around 7.15 p.m. The float was decorated in the shape of a rock ‘mantapa’ in grey. The float went around the ‘mantapa’ thrice. This is known as the “Teppotsava.” Then, the ‘utsava murtis’ of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana were kept in the ‘Garuda Ratha’, while the ‘utsava murtis’ of Lord Ananteshwara and Lord Chandramouleshwara were placed in the ‘Mahapooja Ratha.’

Then both the idols were kept in the Garuda Ratha (Brahma Ratha) along with Chandramouleshwar Ratha and were taken around the Car Street. Oil lamps were lit in specially constructed wooden rows on the street.

Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Pejawar Math, Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Pejawar Math, Vidyasagara Tirtha Swami of Krishnapur Math, Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Palimar Math and Ishapriya Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Admar Math, participated in the festival.