MOTHER MAHALAKSHMI OF KOLHAPUR

THE PUJAS AND FESTIVALS

The regular worship is offered five times a day as is the practice in Maharashtra. Attendance at three sessions a day-for a period of six fortnights confers great merit. The first puja starts at 5 AM with the Suprabhatam - awakening ritual. According to tradition, a torch is taken round the sanctum sanctorum with singing of hymns. Then begins abhisheka - bathing the ickon in milk etc., followed by decoration with sandal paste, garlands shimmering robes and dazzling diamond jewels. Prayers in song and chants are offered. The second session called shodasopachari puja begins at 8 AM. This is quite elaborate and upacharas are many like avahana, padya, arghya, achamana, snana, alankarana, dhupa-diparadhana, arati, naivedva, dakshina and parikramana. The third puja being very important some more rituals are added. It is offered to the accompaniment of band music played in the nagarkana. The evening puja called Panchopachari 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 arc some others like Palkhi seva and Ratostava.

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