Mysore Royal Family members Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Yaduveer Wadiyar and Trishikha Kumari Wadiyar pull cart with golden palanquin

Mysuru: Vardhanti of the presiding deity Goddess Chamundeshwari was celebrated with festive fervour atop Chamundi Hill in city this morning. Every year, Vardhanti of the Goddess falls during the Ashada Masa and is considered to be auspicious, drawing the devotees from various parts of Mysuru and surroundings to the hill shrine.

Rituals

Chief Priest of Chamundeshwari Temple Shashishekar Dixit told Star of Mysore this morning, the rituals of the Vardhanti began at 3.30 am with Abhyanjana (applying the oil to the idol of the Goddess in Garbagudi and bathing the same in water), followed by performing Panchamrita Abhisheka, Mahanyasa Poorvaka Rudrabhisheka, bejewelled decoration of the idol, besides using flowers of myriad hues, Kumkumarchane, Sahasranamarchane and other rituals, lasting at 7.30 am. Later at 9.30 am, Mahamangalarati was performed to the deity, before opening the doors of the temple for devotees.

Unlike Ashada Fridays, when the Goddess will be decorated in various Avatars, on Vardhanti, the deity will be decorated in ‘Chamundeshwari Alankara.’

It is widely believed that, the darshan of the Goddess during her Vardhanti and performing puja, will fulfil the wishes of devotees. Hence the Vardhanti continues to attract heavy footfalls year on year.

Golden Palanquin

The Golden Palanquin was specially brought from the Mysore Palace to the hill, before commencing Chinnada Adda Pallakki Utsava. The Utsava Murti (procession idol) was placed in the palanquin amidst the rendition of Mangala Vadya by a troupe of temple artistes.

Royal, traditional attire

Mysuru-Kodagu MP and Titular Head of erstwhile Mysore Royal Family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, dressed in traditional attire — long white coat, peta and a gold chain with Gandabherunda pendant — was the cynosure of all eyes.

Symbolic start by Wadiyars

Yaduveer Wadiyar symbolically pulled the cart on which the palanquin was placed, in the accompaniment of his mother Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda and Secretary of Sri Chamundeshwari Development Authority M.J. Roopa, marking the start of the procession, which was taken around the temple, with devotees gathered alongside chanting ‘Jai Chamundi.’ While the Police Band played devotional tunes, setting a devotional mood among the gathering.

Earlier, Yaduveer, along with Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, his wife Trishikha Kumari Wadiyar and others, paid obeisance to the Goddess at the temple.

Yaduveer Wadiyar prays for rain

Speaking to media persons later, Yaduveer Wadiyar said, he has prayed to the Goddess to shower bounty of rain in the State and all the lakes and ponds come to brim with water.

The Vardhanti rituals will conclude at 8.30 pm with Utsava Phala Puja and  Durbar Utsava, said Temple Chief Priest.

Ban on private vehicles

To avoid the rush of private vehicles to the hill, the City Police have banned the movement of any private vehicles to the hill from yesterday night 10 pm till tomorrow (Aug. 5) morning. While the devotees reaching the hill top through steps from the foothill were allowed from this morning 7.30 am onwards, KSRTC buses were operated from the parking lot of Shashiranjan Grounds (Lalitha Mahal Grounds) to Chamundi Hill starting from 8.30 am, which will be run till 8 pm.

Heavy security

Anticipating a huge rush of devotees, the City Police had made elaborate security arrangements atop the hill, under the direction of City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar. DCPs Dr. Harsha Priyamvada & K.S. Sundar Raj supervised the security arrangements.

Puja, prasada

Special puja was performed at Sri  Chamundeshwari Temples at Chamundi Vana, K.G. Koppal, Kanakagiri near Vidyaranyapuram and other parts of the city.

Several devotees had organised mass feeding in the name of ‘Prasada,’ including Vegetable Pulav, Puliyogare, Bisibele Bath and Curd Rice, at Bandipalya APMC premises on Mysuru-Nanjangud Road, Agrahara, Basaveshwara Road, Dalvoy Road at the intersection of old Santhepet junction to name a few.

‘Mummadi Wadiyar gifted Utsava Murti…’

Explaining about the significance of Chamundeshwari Vardhanti Mahotsava, quoting the legend, Chief Priest Shashishekar Dixit said, “Chamundeshwari Vardhanti is celebrated during the auspicious occasion of Saptami Revati Nakshatra at Krishna Paksha. It was on this day, Sage Sri Markandeya Maharshi consecrated the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hill. The Utsava Murti was donated to the temple by the then king Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in the year 1820.”

However, according to another version, Vardhanti is celebrated on the birth anniversary of the then King Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar (while the actual birthday of Mummadi is on July 14, 1794). The practice began in the year 1935, which continues to be followed till date.