Sunday, 14 July 2013

Festival Sevas and Facilities of Chamundeswami

Pojas of Chamundi:-
Abhisheka Timings:-
6 am to 7.30 am &
6 pm to 7.30 pm
Friday 5 am to 6.30 am

Darshan & Pooja Timings:-
7.30 am to 2 pm
3.30 pm to 6 pm
7.30 pm to 9 pm

Timings may be changed on Special Days

Homa, Abhisheka, Utsava - Sevas to Divine Mother may please be intimated two days earlier



 Devotee will have a Sankalpa Seva, Special Darshan, Abhisheka & Prasada in the form of Shesta Vastra.
Contribution of Seva of Sarees to Goddess Chamundeshwari can be booked one month in advance.

Dussehra:-

This festival is celebrated throughout the country but Mysore Dussehra has a special significance. Historically, this festival was patronized by the Vijaynagar Empire in 15th century and later on the tradition was continued by Wodeyar kings of Mysore. It still is the state festival and is celebrated with much fanfare, gaiety and elegance – people flock from far across the globe to participate and watch this grand festival.
Dussehra celebrations are also very grand. Elephants play a very important role in the festivities. The elephants which participate in Dussehra actually live in jungle camps of Dubare, Nagarahole and Bandipur. They come to Mysore a month in advance and they are housed in Mysore palace premises and treated like royalty. The famed Mysore palace is lit on all 10 days and it is a sight worth experiencing in person, no pictures can do enough justice to the spectacle. The festivities start with worship of Mother Goddess by priests of Chamundeshwari temple, Chief Minister and the present generation heir of erstwhile Wodeyar rulers, who dress up royally to grace the occasion. It feels as if one is transported back in time! The solid gold idol of Goddess is kept in a gold Mantap ( a replica of a small temple) on top of elephant which is accorded the royal elephant status. Till last Dussehra, an elephant named Balaram has been doing the honors of carrying this howdah weighing 650 kg. A procession of caparisoned elephants follows and as the gentle giants move gracefully from the Mysore palace to the other end of city .

The procession is passes through the heart of city and finally culminates at a place called Bannimantap where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. This ritual also has a historical significance. According to a legend narrated in epic Mahabharata, Pandavas hid their arms in banni tree during their one-year period of Agyatavasa (living life in cognito). The grand festivities come to an end on the night of Vijayadashami with a torch-light parade and fireworks which are held in an open stadium at Bannimantap.      

The Dasara festivities culminate on the night of Vijayadashami with a torchlight parade, known locally as Panjina Kavayatthu.

 A silhouette of the Mysore Palace, illuminated with  ninety seven thousand light bulbs shimmering against an inky black night is one of the most unforgettable images of the city. Located in the heart of the city, it stands as a reminder of the splendor and affluence of its erstwhile rulers, the Maharajas of Mysore. It was the pride of a kingdom, and is now a priceless national treasure!

 A Rathotsava (Chariot festival) is conducted during this time. This is followed by Theppotsava (floating festival) that is held in the night.

Ashada poja:-
Devotees inside the Chamundeshwari temple which was decorated with a variety of flowers on the occasion of Ashada Shukravara.

It is a belief that an eagle (Garuda) called Suparna performed penance on the banks of the river and attained salvation hence the name Sauparnika.

Facilities:-

Parking Facilities for two and four wheelers
20 Room Guest House for devotees
Primary Health Care Unit at Chamundi Hills
Ladu Prasadam available inside the Temple.
Drinking Water for devotees atop Chamundi Hills
Dasoha (free meals) is arranged for devotees on everyday from the temple administration.
Seva for Rs. 1,50,000 deposited as a Fixed Deposit towards Anna Dasoha (Shashwatha seva) One day in a year.


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