Once in 12 year rituals start at Kadri temple

Mangaluru: Rituals got underway at the historical Kadri Sri Manjunatha temple for Ashtothara Sahasra Brahmakalashabhisheka and Mahadanda Rudrabhisheka and Maha Rudrayga on Thursday. Held once every 12 years, Brahmakalashabhisheka and Mahadanda Rudrabhisheka were last held in 2006. The rituals have begun under the guidance of Vedic scholar Vittaldas Tantri.
Various religious and cultural programmes will be held over nine days with Brahmakalashabhisheka rituals on May 9 and Mahadanda Rudrabhisheka and Maharudrayaga rituals on May 10.
As many as 121 priests will be involved in recitation of scriptures as part of Shatha Rudrabhisheka and yaga will simultaneously be performed in 11 ‘homa kunda’. The Mahadanda Rudrabhisheka entails bringing holy water emanating from GouMukha using a channel made up on arecanut fronds and one that drops on the idol of the presiding deity of the temple. Japa, abhisheka, homa and annadaana will be the hallmarks of the festivities.
Kadri Sri Manjunatha temple was built in the 10th-11 th century. It was converted to a complete stone structure in the 14th century. The idol of Manjunatha is said to be one of the oldest of South Indian temples. The adage about the temple goes like this: As per Shiva’s order Parashurama threw his axe into the sea and created a place for his penance. Yielding to Parashurama’s prayers, Shiva appeared to him as Manjunatha along with Goddess Parvathi and stayed at Kadri for the betterment of the world.