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PUJAS AND
MYSTIVALS:
The regular worship is offered five times a day as it is the
practice in Maharastra. Attendance at three sessions a day for a period of six
fortnights confers great merit says the priest. The first puja starts at 5 a.m.
with the Suprabatham-awakening ritual. Then begins abhisheka bathing the icon in
milk etc., followed by decoration with sandal paste, garlands shimmering robes
and dazzling jewels. Prayers in songs and chants are offered. The second session
called Shodasopachara puja begins at 8 a.m. It is quite elaborate and upacharas
are many like avahana, padya, arghya, achamana, snana, alankarana, dhupa
dhiparadhana, arati, naivedya, dakshina and parikramana. The third puja being
very important and some more rituals are added. It is offered to the
accompaniment of band music played in the nagarkana. The evening puja is call
Panchopachai and the last one reaches the finale with Shejaarati, when the
Mother is put to sleep with fine songs. Along with these daily ritualistic
pujas, there are some others like Palkhi seva and Rathotsav celebrated with
grand fervor.
It lies in the heart of the city accessible by all kinds of
vehicles.
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