Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – Festivals

Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – Festivals

The Shivaratri festival, the observance of the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is celebrated in Gokarna in February, when a very large number of pilgrims visit the shrine. During the festival, a Rath Yatra (a procession in a large wooden chariot) is held. Images of Shiva and other deities are installed in a chariot which is ceremoniously pulled through the town by the devotees, accompanied by drum bands. The Ratha Yatra starts from the Shri Maha Ganapati temple at the terminus of the main market street, also known as "Car Street".

The temple has two chariots — named locally as 'Dodda Ratha' (Dodda for big in Kannada) and 'Sanna Ratha' (Sanna for small in Kannada). While Sanna Ratha is out in the open during winter and summer, the Dodda Ratha is brought out and made ready only during Maha Shivaratri. On the last day of the Shivaratri festival the Lord Mahabaleshwar idol is carried in Dodda Ratha in a procession through the town's big Car Street, while priests and pilgrims chant hymns in praise of Shiva. More than 100 people are needed to pull the chariots with thick ropes while priests conduct religious ceremonies inside. During the nine-day festival, the small town of Gokarna is visited by up to 20,000 pilgrims. Kartika Mahotsavam is another festival celebrated here with much fanfare.