Adhika Masa Akhanda Bhajanams Inaugurated at Udupi
By Deepak Shenoy
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi, 21 August 2012: 19th August 2012; On the occasion of Purushotam Masa, 1st Nagar Bhajanams of Udupi Shri Laksmi Venkatesha Temple’s “30 days Adhika Masa Akhanda Bhajan Mahotsava “ was inaugurated on Sunday at Udupi Kukkikatte at Shri K. Marthappa Shenoy’s M/s. Deepak Stores.
During this Adhika Masa a 24 hours uninterrupted Bhajanams will be performed in a particular temple/location of Udupi . Each Sunday there will be NAGARA BHAJANAMS which will be held at every Sunday at different locations in Udupi. A large number of devotees are expected to join this 24 hours from that particular locality where this Bhajans are held including children, women and old people walking in bare foot.
It is great opportunity for all to take part in Bhajans and prayers in this Holy Month of Hindu Calendar. Udupi is hub of famous muts and temples and attracts a large number of tourists and devotees to this holy city.
It is a community event wherein young and old join together in this prayer services and also refreshments served at all localities where the procession takes place. It is a joy and happiness for the people to celebrate this holy month as a community service.
Religious Significance of Udupi …
Udupi is known for the Krishna Mutt (Temple of Lord Krishna) and also native place of the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya who founded the Krishna Mutt in the 13th century.
According to folklore, there was a storm in the sea at Malpe. Shri Madhvacharya was on the shore at the time and saw a ship which was in trouble. He helped the ship reach the shore to safety. The sailors were very grateful to him and gave him deities of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama. He did the pratishte (installation ceremony) of the deity of Lord Balarama near Malpe. This temple is known as Vadabhandeshwara. He brought the deity of Lord Krishna and did the pratishte at Udupi. This temple is known as Krishna Mutt.
Shri Madhvacharya handed over the puja and administration of Krishna Mutt to his 8 disciples. Each of them set up their Mathas (monasteries) around the Krishna Mutt. These are known as the Ashta Mathas. The Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura. Since then, the daily sevas (offerings to god) and administration of the Krishna Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas (eight temples). Each of the Ashta Mathas performs Mutt management activities for two years in a cyclical order. During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the Mutt management is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the Mutt during his Paryaya.
In the 16th century during Sri Vaadiraja’s administration, Kanakadasa an ardent believer of God came to Udupi to worship Lord Krishna. He was not allowed inside the Mutt since he was from the caste other than Brahmin, as during that time only Brahmin’s had the privilege of entering the Mutt to offer pooja to the God. He tried to see Lord Krishna from a small window, but was only able to see Lord Krishna from the back. It is believed that Sri Krishna, pleased by the bhakti (devotion) of Kanakadasa turned to face the window. This window came to be known as Kanakana Kindi. To this day, the deity of Lord Krishna faces the back of the Mutt towards the Kanakana Kindi. All Hindu temples have their Vigraha (Deity) facing the entrance of the temple, except Krishna Mutt Kanakana Kindi is decorated with carvings depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Through the nine small holes of the window we see the deity of Sri Krishna as a very young boy. He holds the churning rod in His right hand and rope in his left. The Krishna Matha is known throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions, and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.