Millennium's Panchalinga Darshana begins

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Talakadu (Karnataka), Nov 20 (UNI) The Millennium's first 'Panchalinga Darshana' began early today with priests performing special poojas even as thousands of devotees arrived to this sandy town.

Religious ceremonies and Special pooja were performed to the principal deity Vaidyanateshwara.'Panchalinga Darshana' was the biggest religious congregation in these parts of the country after the Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola.

Removing sand for 'Panchalinga Darshana' celebration cleared five temples, including Vaidyanatheswara, Pathaleswara, Maruleshwara, Arakeshwara and Mallikarjuneswara, which were buried under sand.

The special pooja and abhisheka began at 0230 hrs on the auspicious movement of Kuhumahuratha, which falls on Vaishaka Nakshtra during the Krishnapaksha amavasaya of Karthika Somavara (Monday). This movement usually comes once seven years and last Panchalinga Darshana was held 13 years back.

Devotees were seen waiting in queues since last night even as the temple door was opened at 0500 hrs for darshan.

The uniqueness was that the poojas began simultaneously in all the five temples as per age-old tradition for peace in the world besides blessings for devotees and rulers of the country.

According to authorities the number of devotees arriving for "Panchalinga Darshana" is increasing every time and today the number was estimated at four lakhs and it my go upto 10 lakhs till November 25, the last day. Before the beginning the special pooja, the head priest Krishna Deekshith, accompanied by more then 10 priests, took holy dip at the Gokarna Pushkarni, adjacent to the lord Vadyanatheswara temple at 0130 hrs and brought the agrodaka (Water from the Pushkarani) to perform Ganga Pooja to the god.

On the occasion poojas would be performed to lard Shakthi Ganpathi, Manonmani Devi, Chandikeshwara and Veerabhadraswamy. Later poojas were also performed to Arakeshwara, Pathalaeswara, Maraleshwara and Mallikarjuneswara.

The temple town Talakadu, located on the banks of the river Cauvery, was an ancient town earlier ruled by the Kadambaas, Cholas, Chalukyas and Rastrakutas and it was about 45 km from the Mysore. An archaeologists delight, this town has come of the earliest known temples including five. After the Panchalinga Darshana culminates, it would be followed by Gajaraohana, tomorrow, Sridivya Brahama Rathotsava will be held and Sri Shyanotsava the following day.

Theppotsava is scheduled on November 23 and poorvaka Kailsavanahana on November 24. Next day the event would conclude with Nandi Vahanotsava.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who was the Chief guest for the celebrations was accorded a traditional welcome by the temple priest. Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) National President H D Deve Gowda and other Ministers offered prayers.

The State Road Transport Corporation has made special arrangements and plying over 300 buses from various parts of the State. Nearly 2500 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order.

Cultural programmes will also be held daily to entertain the devotees during the day times besides exhibition was also organised on the occasion.