Udupi celebrates Utthana Dwadashi with grand rituals

Udupi: The sacred occasion of Utthana Dwadashi, marking the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his four-month Yoga Nidra, brings Udupi alive in reverence and joy.

Known as Tulasi Pooja day, this festival also marks the beginning of the grand Laksha Deepotsava and Nitya Rathotsava at the famous Sri Krishna Matha, infusing the town with divine energy and age-old traditions that inspire devotees far and wide.

The day began with a special pooja to the Tulasi plant accompanied by Arghyapradhana (offering of milk or Ksheerabdhi). In the evening, the ritual was held again, but this time in the Madhva Mantapa—a small shrine situated in the center of the Madhva Sarovara lake presided over Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji and Sushreendra Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Puthige Matha.

Ksheerabdhi involves offering milk to a coconut half placed below the Tulsi plant.

Scholar Krishnaraja Kuthpady explains that on this day, Lord Vishnu awakens from his Yoga Nidra (symbolizing the transition from rest to renewed cosmic activity). To honor this moment, the offering of milk is made, and the auspicious amla (gooseberry) tree, held in high religious regard, is also worshipped.

Garlands prepared from amla were offered to Sri Krishna, while special amla-based dishes grace the prasad.

As night fell, the splendor of Laksha Deepotsava transformed Udupi’s Rathabeedi (Car Street) into a dazzling display of devotion. One lakh earthen lamps are meticulously arranged and lit, their warm glow captivating thousands of devotees. The Utsava Moorthis (processional deities) of Sri Krishna, Sri Mukhyaprana (Hanuman), Sri Chandramauleeshwara, and Sri Anantheshwara were taken in the procession during the Rathotsava through the streets. The event was presided over by teppotsava—a ceremonial boat procession on the Madhva Sarovara lake.

The Laksha Deepotsava held every year from Dwadashi until Poornima of Karthika Masam, illuminates Udupi in a visual feast of faith.

Meanwhile, the Nityotsavam, or daily chariot procession, that began today will continue until the onset of the next monsoon, traditionally concluding on Bhagirathi Janma Dina.