Deepavali - Karthik Poornima Celebrations at Kochi Tirumala Devaswom temple

I enjoyed the recent Deepavali celebrations in Kochi Tirumala Devaswom temple as I got  an opportunity to celebrate it in my hometown Kochi.The temple was opened at 4.45 am and devotees thronged the temple to participate in the early morning worship.

The idol of Lord Venkatachalapathy was given a special abhishekam with perfumed oil known as champel made by soaking scented flowers in oil which was  later distributed among the devotees. Worshipping the Lord by singing devotional songs and performing aarti made of oil wicks  kept in the centre of rice flour balls are also part of the festivities. This is called as Divyan aarti and goes on for about 1 hour in the temple.

Special worship is performed to Tulsi and it is believed that Lord Narayana resides and meditates inside the Tulsi for a  month starting 10th day of Navarathri. It ended on Uthana Dwadashi which was on 18th November 2010. GSB's celebrate the whole month as the Karthika masa. During this period  paper lanterns  known as panjire are hung in front of the houses and lamps are lit in the morning and evening.

On Diwali day, Tulsi in the temple was  decorated well with diyas,( lamps) rangolis, flowers and thoranas made of palm and mango leaves. Special worship for Tulsi is also conducted on Uthana dwadashi  day too and on that day it is believed that Lord Narayana leaves for Vaikunta.

 On Karthik Poornima day, the  Lord is worshipped under the Nelli maram(gooseberry tree). The idols are adorned with garlands made of gooseberries.The legend is that after killing Narakasura, the Lord rested under a Nelli tree.

 A few photographs are displayed below for you to enjoy Diwali - Kartika Poornima in  Kochi temple. I have also added a few snaps of Uthana Dwadashi, Tulsi  pooja  celebrations at my home.

 The aaratu of Lord Venkachalapathi is starting on  Dec 3rd 2010. For a glimpse of April  Chaitra masa aaratu pictures click here.

Uthana dwadashi- Tulsi pooja at home.