Setting course for Rathotsav

Lord Bhavanishankar is set in flower bedecked Lalki - for Rathaarohana ceremony

Proceeding for Rathaarohan

Param Poojya Swamiji leads the procession to take Lord Bhavanishankar for Rathaarohan- the ceremonial boarding of the Rath in the morning hours

Rathaarohan

Lord Bhavanishankar in Lalki approaches the Rath, as the vaidiks perform the rituals of Rathaarohan

Ceremonial Regalia

Param Poojya Swamiji adorned in ceremonial shawl is accompanied by the President of Standing Committee, Shri Vind Yennemadi (wearing a turban) and other Math Officials

Bali rituals

Vaidiks perform the "bali rituals" at the Rath, before Rathaarohan. Bali- offerings to the deities is an important part of rituals unique to Rathotsav. This ritual is performed twice a day during the period of Rathotsav.

Radiating devotion

Large number of devotees watch the rituals unmindful of the scorching sun and humidity. Similarly, during the period of Rathotsav, Palki Utsav goes to hamlets such as Mavinkatte and Baddukuli late in the afternoon and here again, the devotees carry Palki throughout the distance without any footwear over entire length of ove 10 KMs each day

Vaidik Rituals

Rath is also worshipped before Lord Bhavanishankar ascends it. Another ritual unique to this period is the Ashtavadhaan seva- chanting of Vedas, puranas, followed by other sevas such as of vocal music, flute, Maurivadya, etc are carried out which is performed even as Lord Bhavanishankar goes in Palki around the inner Parikrama.

Parikrama

The lalki is taken around the Rath three times before Lord Bhavanishankar ascends the Rath. Weighing well over 100 kg, carrying this on this hot summer noon without wearing any footwear, is a great seva that this bunch of dedicated youngsters perform year after year.

Sumuhurta Savadhana

Sprinkling of laahyo on the Rath marking the auspicious moment of ascension of Rath

The eager wait for signal

Devotees wait patiently to pull the Teru after Rathaarohan for the symbolic pulling of the Rath

Aarti and Prasad

devotees take turns to perform pooja of Rathaarudh Lord Bhavanishankar and take the aarti paleru around for the benefit of other devotees

Swamiji descends from Rath

After the Rathaavarohan the office bearers of Standing Committee and Past Presidents offer their obeisance to Lord Bhavanishankar in presence of Swamiji. Later on, all others queue up to offer their seva and this goes on well through the entire afternoon and late evening, till Lord returns to the Math.

Legacy of the Math

The tradition of Rathotsav started 147 years ago during the reign of Param Poojya Krishnashram Swamiji, at the insistence of His Shishya Swami- Param Poojya Pandurangashram Swamiji

Wagha Vesu

Folk artistes painted like tigers perform the "Wagha Vesu" dance that takes place on the sidelines. On the night of Mrigabete, the wild animals symbolising the vices are symbolically destroyed.

Har Har Mahadev

Later in the evening, the Rath is pulled by hudreds of devotees through Ratha Gadde over a distance of 200 meters and then pulled back into its original place.

The annual pilgrimage

For many of us in the Samaj, being in Shirali on this auspicious day is a matter of life time commitment. Many make it a point to be there just to be able to volunteer their services for various activities, ranging from manning reception, allocation of accommodation to serving all devotees in Bhojanshala, even if it means missing the opportunity to witness the key activities.

The Rath returns

Amidst cheers and jaijaikar, the Rath with Lord Bhavanishankar and Param Poojya Swamiji aboard, returns to the place from where it started

Revival in Modern Times

In the middle of the last century, the tradition of holding Rathotsav had to be discontinued due to various constraints. It was our Tenth Guru, Param Poojya Parijnanashram Swamiji III who revived the tradition in 1972 and since then the Rathotsav has been held regularly. This being the first Rathotsav after the Guru Paduka Sannidhi was established on February 15th, held special significance for many who had witnessed the revived Rathotsav in 1972

Rathotsav

Param Poojya Swamiji can be seen descending from the Rath after it returns to its original place

The Lord in the Rath

From the time of Rathaarohan, Lord Bhavanishankar remains in the Rath, till late evening on that day, giving an opportunity to all devotees from far and wide to take His Darshan from very close quarters. Villagers offer flowers, coconuts, fruits and perform aarti after climbing the Rath ladder with queue stretching to a long distance

The fair

The stalls selling toys and balloons, shops a large variety of items - from sweetmeats, household implements, artefacts, to clothes spring up all over Chitrapur

The Little Tiger

A little boy dressed up as tiger in the "Wagha vesu" team quenches his thirst with Sugarcane juice. Colorful Jalebis, golden pedhas, red sweets, all attract young and old alike making a beeline for the sweet stalls.

A Ready Business opportunity

Many itinerant salesmen set up shops making brisk business on this day that brings novelties close to the rural folk

Ashwaththa Katto

The Ashwattha tree outside the Math remains a quiet witness to the sea of Shraddha of Devotees as well as the joy and happiness of children years after year