Udupi : The Three Chariot Festival or the Trirathotsava was celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety on Car Street here on Monday, with devotees participating in large numbers. The exponent of Dwaita philosophy, Sri Madhwacharya, installed the idol of Lord Sri Krishna at the temple in Udupi on Makara Sankranti day about 800 years ago.

It is to mark this installation that the Saptotsava is held. The Three Chariot Festival on Monday and the Churnotsava on Tuesday are part of the Saptotsava. The Utsava Murtis of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana (Hanuman) were brought in a golden palanquin to the Madhwa Sarovar on the premises of the temple.

These idols were then shifted to a decorated boat which went around a mantapa in the pond amid chanting of mantras during the Teppotsava.

Then, the idol of Lord Krishna was taken from the pond and placed on the biggest chariot called the Brahmaratha in front of the temple. The idol of Lord Mukhyaprana was placed in the chariot called Garuda Ratha.

Then the Utsava Murtis of Lord Ananteshwara and Lord Chandramouleshwara were placed in the chariot called the Mahapuja Ratha. These chariots were then pulled by the devotees around the Car Street.

The Three Chariot Festival was held under the supervision of Vidyadheesha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt.