Theppotsava at Devi Kere on Oct. 26

Mysuru: Thousands of devotees, braving chilly weather and rain, gathered atop Chamundi Hill this morning to witness the grand Rathotsava of Goddess Chamundeshwari, organised as part of erstwhile Mysore Royal Family’s Dasara celebrations.

As per the tradition, Utsava Murti of the Goddess was brought out from the temple during the auspicious time and placed on wooden chariot. Following this, Titular Head of Mysore Royal Family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar inaugurated the Rathotsava by pulling the chariot between 7.55 am and 8.15 am, auspicious time fixed by Temple Priests, after performing traditional puja rituals under the guidance of Temple Chief priest Dr. N. Shashishekar Dixit.

Later, the chariot was taken round the temple amidst the presence of huge crowd.

Fire was also shot by the Pirangi Dal using mini cannons as a mark of respect for the Goddess.

Following the flagging of the Rathotsava, the members of the Mysore Royal Family including Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Yaduveer Wadiyar, Trishikha Kumari Wadiyar and their elder son Aadyaveer Narasimharaja Wadiyar watched proceedings from ‘Bettada Aramane’ (Palace atop the Hill) which is still under construction. On arriving in front of the ‘Bettada Aramane,’ the chariot was stopped for a couple of minutes and mangalarthi was performed to the deity.

The ‘Theppotsava’ (Coracle Festival) of Goddess Chamundeshwari will be held on Oct. 26 (Monday) at Devi Kere located atop the Hill.

This will be followed by Shayanotsava on Oct. 27 and Mahabhisheka at Simhavahana Mantapa on Oct. 28 morning and Mudiutsava the same evening marking the culmination of Mysore Royal Family’s Dasara celebrations.