Festivals of Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple
According to the Hindu calendar, Karthik Masa is the period of Laxmi Narayan Dev festivities.
From Karthik Shukla Pratipada Bandavali Pooja is performed every day.
On Karthik Shudha Dashami, Laxmi Narayan Palaki along with Shree Katyayani Palaki goes to Hattikeri River for Karthik Snan.
On Karthik Shudha Dwadashi (Tulasi Lagna) Pouranika drama will be performed on the stage. The Natya Mandir is located just in front of Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple.
The next day of this Drama, other cultural festivities will be started.
Mask play Dashavatar performed in the morning of Trayodashi with great pomp. This event is performed in the premises of Laxmi Narayan temple.
Dashavatar is a series of Mask play which starts with Ankasur and Bankasur trying to steal the Veda's. The natives, who are custodians of the Veda, will fight with these asura's and safe guard them. This Mask play will end with Ravan Vadha and Sita Kalyan.
The prasad on this occasion is made of sweet pova. Powa, Jaggary and coconut is mixed in the proportions to make this prasad.
In the evening Shree Katyayani Devi Palaki will come to Laxmi Narayan Temple and sit on the Ashwath Katte. Laxmi Narayan Palaki will also sit next to Devi Katyayani.
The devotees will be dancing to the tune of Bhajan while Palaki is moved.
There will be couple of games played in front of these Palaki.
Playing of ball throwing by 2 groups and horse play are the games played.
Horse on Shoulder is a game where a devotee will be carried by another and while running in to each group, they have to hit the other team member.
After these games Dhahikala celebrations will start. This is similar to Dahi Handi played North India. The difference is the Dahi Mataka will be hanging from a Peepal tree. There will be hole and Dahi will be oozing from that. The Dahi Mataka will swing up and down.
The group of devotees will be jumping to reach this Handi. After some time they will reach the Handi and that will be broken in to pieces.
Now, here after both Laxmi Narayan and Devi Katyayani Palaki will move towards Hattikeri river for Snan. On the way to River, Lord Gopal Krishna Dev will accompany.
After performing the Arachna and Pooja etc at river, all the three palakis will return.
On the way back Aaratis will be offered to the god.
Kartik Poornima is last day of the celebrations
During this last day, lights will be set sailing in the river. This scene of sailing lights in the full moon day is wonderful.
Kartika Vadya Dwiteya. Annasantarpana will be held on this day at the temple premises. There is a corpus fund for this purpose of annasantarpana.
Vana Bhojan: Anna Santarpana on the river bank at Tammanakatta, which is located 5 km from Aversa. On Kartik Vadya Panchami, Shree Katyayani Devi, Shree Laxmi Narayana and Shree Gopal Krishna palakis go together in a procession to forest area. There are 2 Katte on which these palakis are placed. Dhatra Pooja and Naivedya wtc are performed to these deities. Food is prepared at 3 places and served.