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THE FESTIVALS AND TIMINGS
The temple celebrates several festivals during the year. Of them, the Vaisaka festival tops the list and
it lasts for 10 days. It falls in May-June and it is then the utsavamurthi is taken out in
procession through the main streets. Both in morning and nights. On the ninth day, the Car Festival is
celebrated on a grand scale and participated by devotees in thousands coming from far and
near. The Float Festival, another star attraction marks the conclusion of this Vaisaka Festival.
To commemorate the death of the demon-Bana, Navarathri festival is celebrated.
It is equally important, or rather more glamorous than the first one. It is celebrated during
September- October every year. The festival reaches the apex of gaiety, when the antique-spirit of
antiquity appear on the scene. Everything in the township then wears a new look and
turns out colourful with several rituals performed throughout. The deity is
taken out in procession to Mahadanapuram, away 4 km from the temple. The priests re-enact
the Banasura Vadha is such splendor that it draws several thousands every year, who
lustily partake in all the activities of the temple. There are many other
festivals celebrated throughout the year as done in Saktipithas of fame.
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