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Of
the odd traditions prevailing here, the offering of Naivedyam to the deity
immediately after opening the temple doors in the mornings merits mention. Queer
it is, that the deity is allowing the practice without hesitation or objection.
He rather likes it, because he is so hungry that he accepts it and admits not
elaborate rituals, when the belly is empty. The archamurthi is conceived
as that ofBalakrishna exactly after killing Kamsa, Chanura. the court wrestler
and kuvalaya, the royal elephant. As he exhausted his super abundant strength in
the above acts, he naturally developed unusual keen hunger. Hence the tradition.
Marvelous tradition! Let us know a little bit of the temples speciality now. It
is here the deity is carried on the head of priests instead of elephants; it is
here exists the prohibition of elephants for any function, rather resenting
their movements in and out of its precincts; it is this temple that continues
the practice of Nrittam at the house of a devotee after death; it is this temple
first built by Parasuram and is implementing all the rituals and Utsavas as
stipulated by him without changing; it is this that Mushaka dynasty patronised
and endowed it with munificent gifts in several forms, besides renovation
several times; it is this temple famous for treasuring up excellent wood
carvings; it is here a tree called Ilanji tree stopped bearing fruit to protect
a bhakta doing prayers under its shade. and it is to this temple. the idol of
Balarama is brought in procession during the annual festival from
Dharamuculengara, a nearby town.
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