| Bhadrapad
chaturthi, the fourth day of that month, when Ganesh janma is observed everywhere, is also
the birth anniversary of Shri Shripad Shrivallabha. Ceremonial worship of the padukas and
of Vighnahar Chintamani takes place. The latter is draped in new constumes and ornaments,
prasad is distributed to all those present. Vijayadashmi, the tenth day of the month of
Ashvin is marked by worship of the Shami tree and a palanquin procession in the evening.
The twelfth day of the second half of the same month, i.e. Ashvin is the death-
anniversary of Shripad Shrivallabha, when in addition to routine worships and rituals a
feast is given to the devotees. Two days later, i.e.
on the day of Narakachaturdashi, the priests andpilgrims go out in procession, singing
bhajans, to take a dip in all the eight tirths of the Bhima. The tirths are described
above. The fifteenth and sixteenth day of Kartika are marked by a procession of the palkhi
to the Bhima Amaraja confluence. Around ten o’clock in the morning of the full-moon
day the utsavamurti is dressed in rich silken costumes,all sorts of ornaments are put upon
the image and the palkhi proceeds towards the city gates to the accompaniment of a band of
musicians. from the city-gates the partly starts at a very quick pace. The first halt is
on the Vishranti katta or resting platform. This spot has been sanctified by the practice
of Shri Guru of resting himself here when going to and coming back from the confluence.
Here some edibles are distributed. The destination is the next stop, the Sangameshvar
temple opposite the confluence. Married women wash the feet of those who bear the
palanquin, arati is sung and the image placed in the Sangameshvar temple. Here abhisheka
and mahanaivedya take place and then a great feast follows. By this time the hands of the
clock show nine in the evening. For an hour after this arati is sung. After the
distribution of prasad the return journey of the palkhi starts. This indeed is a very
remarkable sight. Scores of torches are set alight and the palkhi starts its return march
at SL good pace, the
bearers and the accompanying procession running to the tune of several bhajans. Off and on
the cheers of ‘Anantakoti Brahmandanayak’ enliven the atmosphere. There is a
halt at the vishranti katta. The palakhi comes back to the math by around three or four in
the morning. |
