Mandya: It is a ritual with a legacy courting again to one thousand years, and the celebrations stay true to this rich heritage in each spirit and letter. The annual ‘Sri Vairamudi Brahmotsava’ that used to be held in Melukote in Mandya district, used to be celebrated on Sunday with the normal spiritual fervour, with the hill shrine reverberating with the incantatory rhythms of Vedic hymns, while prayers offered by way of the thousands of devotees who flocked to the Sri Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple punctuated the chanting.
The rituals, which come with a procession around the huge temple located at the summit of Melukote, commenced at 8pm on Sunday, and can last till break of day on Monday. Custom dictates that the crown ‘Vairamudi’, which is placed at the brows of the Sri Chelvanarayanaswamy deity in this occasion should be removed before the rays of the Sun graze the Earth. The trust is that the rays of the Sun would tarnish the complexion of the idol, thereby boding sick for mankind.
Vairamudi finds mention in epics stretching around the many Yugas (epochs) in Hindu mythology – Tretayuga, Dwaparayuga and Kaliyuga.
The other traditional trust associated with the yearly festival is that the consecrated crown isn't to be touched by way of naked arms while it adorns the idol of Sri Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple. Following the realization of the ritual the Vairamudi returns to the confines of a casket that is guarded beneath tight security in the Mandya district treasury.
The rituals, which come with a procession around the huge temple located at the summit of Melukote, commenced at 8pm on Sunday, and can last till break of day on Monday. Custom dictates that the crown ‘Vairamudi’, which is placed at the brows of the Sri Chelvanarayanaswamy deity in this occasion should be removed before the rays of the Sun graze the Earth. The trust is that the rays of the Sun would tarnish the complexion of the idol, thereby boding sick for mankind.
Vairamudi finds mention in epics stretching around the many Yugas (epochs) in Hindu mythology – Tretayuga, Dwaparayuga and Kaliyuga.
The other traditional trust associated with the yearly festival is that the consecrated crown isn't to be touched by way of naked arms while it adorns the idol of Sri Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple. Following the realization of the ritual the Vairamudi returns to the confines of a casket that is guarded beneath tight security in the Mandya district treasury.
Melukote keeps date with Vairamudi Brahmotsava
![Melukote keeps date with Vairamudi Brahmotsava]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
March 18, 2019
Rating:
