Rathotsava of Sri Gopalkrishna Dev, was celebrated on 25th April 2013. 5 day celebrations of Rathotsava vidhi-vidhana was started on 23rd april on this day Garuda-ratha was pulled by devotees of dev at night. followed by on 24th april Pushpa-ratha was pulled along with the installation of mangala-thorana, which includes erecting 2 large arecanut trees such that the maha-ratha has to pass under the thorana.
Finally the day of maharathotsava, on 25th due to chandra-grahana the function started early at 12:30 instead of 4:30. Then ratharohana took place around 2:30 and ratha was pulled till thorana and then was buri-bojana for all the devotees of dev was arranged. Later at night 8:30 ratha was pulled further and then returned back to its sterting position.
Next day on 26th april is the day of avabritha-snana or Okuli. Many devotees celebrated okuli playing with coulurful water and avabritha-snana of dev took place and concluded with fun-filled pallaki-utsava.
Here are some picttures of the celebrations for those who have missed....
On the day of pushpa-ratha Sri Dev on Hanuman
Sri Dev at Ashwatha-katte on pushpa-ratha day.
Sri Dev lalki on pushpa-ratha day.
Sri Dev on Hanuman on lalki
Sri Dev on Pushpa-ratha
Interior view of Sri Gopalkrishna temple on Maharathotsava Day.
Sri Gopalkrishna Dev.
Sri Dev on Roupya lalki.
Gopalkrishna Dev, utsava murthi.
Balipradhana on maharathotsava day.
Sri Dev on roupya lalki.
Balipradhana on maharathotsava day.
A view of Sri Dev on lalki.
A view of Roupya lalki.
Maha-ratha of Sri-Gopalkrishna Dev.
Pushpa/Garuda ratha of Sri Dev.
Mangala Thorana erected under which maharatha will pass.
A view of Sri Dev on lalki.
A view of Maha ratha of Sri Dev.
Kadagola dhari Sri GopalKrishna Dev.
Ratharohana of Sri Dev.
Ratharohana of Sri Dev.
Maha-ratha under mangala-thorana.
Sri Dev on Garuda on Maharatha.
A view of Sri Dev on Maha-ratha.
Navadurga Devi at Sri Gopalkrishna Temple, who witness Rathotsava of Sri Dev every year.
Sri Navadurga Devi.
Gali of Maharatha which is 5ft 8inches tall.
Front of Maha-ratha.
