Annual Utsava
The annual Utsava of Sri Venugopala Krishna Temple is celebrated every year in April, spanning five glorious days of devotion, rituals, and religious celebration.
Hundreds of devotees from the Irvathur village and surrounding areas gather to participate in the sacred festivities, seeking the blessings of the Lord Sri Venugopala Krishna Devaru and his parivara devatas — Lord Sri Mukhyaprana Devaru, Lord Sri Naga Devaru, and Sri Vyagra Chamundi Daiva.
Festival Programme
- Devatha Prarthane, Swasthi Punyahavachana
- Thorana Prathiste & Ganapathi Homa
- Panchaamritha Abhisheka & Navakapradhana Kalasha Abhisheka to Sri Mukhyaprana Devaru and Sri Venugopalakrishna Devaru
- Alankara Pooja
- From 12:00 Noon: Dhwajarohana (flag hoisting)
- Mahapooja, Prasada Distribution, Annasantarpane
- Evening from 5:00 PM: Flower Pooja, Bayanabali, Mahapooja, Ranga Pooja, Sri Bhoothabali
- Panchaamritha Abhisheka & Navakapradhana Kalasha Abhisheka
- Alankara Pooja, Mahapooja, Bali
- Annasantarpane
- Evening from 6:00 PM: Flower Pooja, Bayanabali, Mahapooja, Sri Bhoothabali
- Panchaamritha Abhisheka & Navakapradhana Kalasha Abhisheka to Sri Mukhyaprana Devaru and Sri Venugopalakrishna Devaru
- Alankara Pooja, Mahapooja, Palla Pooja
- From 12:00 Noon: Ratha Shuddhi (chariot purification), MAHA RATHOTSAVA
- From 1:30 PM: MAHA ANNASANTHARPANE
- Flower Pooja at 5:00 PM
- From 7:00 PM: GURJI RATHOTSAVA
- Fireworks Display (Sudhamadhu Pradarshana)
- Odubali, Bayanabali, Mahapooja, Sri Bhoothabali, Kavatabandhana
- Kavatodghatane (opening of the sanctum doors)
- Dashavidha Snana & Tulabara Seva to the deities
- Panchaamritha Abhisheka & Navakapradhana Kalasha Abhisheka
- Choornotsava, Mahapooja, Prasada Distribution, Phalahara
- Evening from 5:00 PM: Flower Pooja, Bayanabali
- Gaggara Seva to Sri Vyagra Chamundi Daiva
- Jalaka, Agnikeli (fire walking ceremony)
- Daiva-Devara Bheti, Amritha Vakya of the Daiva
- Prasada Distribution, Dhwajavarohana, Mahapooja
- Shuddasamprokshane
- Manthrakshathe
- Conclusion of the annual Utsava
About the Utsava
Maha Rathotsava
The Rathotsava (chariot festival) on the third day is the grand highlight. The beautifully decorated chariot carrying Lord Sri Venugopala Krishna Devaru is pulled around the temple by devotees amidst chanting, music, and celebration. It is a deeply moving spiritual experience.
Annadhana
During Utsava, the temple conducts Annadhana — free prasada meals for all devotees. The Maha Annasantharpane on the Rathotsava day is a special prasada meal that serves hundreds of devotees.
Daiva Nema
The temple's connection to local Tulu Nadu traditions is seen in the Daiva rituals on the fourth day, including the Gaggara Seva to Sri Vyagra Chamundi Daiva, Agnikeli (fire walking), and the sacred Amritha Vakya (divine pronouncement). Sri Vyagra Chamundi Daiva is one of the parivara deities of the temple and holds a revered place in the spiritual traditions.
Irvathur Togetherness
The annual Utsava brings the Irvathur people together. Families come from across India and other countries to join the celebrations, strengthen their bond with the village and the temple, and receive the blessings of the deities for the coming year.