Chikkaiah-Diddaiah

# ABOUT CHIKKAIAH DODAIAH

Since our birth- routine activities - and our disappearance from this world are governed by the supreme power, the ancient scholars advocated the worship of the Lord in any form. The Lord is the Wisdom from which all other powers emerge. So, it is stated that one should behave wisely in this world and make the life fruitful. Hence, all our worship & performances are aimed at a purposeful and decent living.

We worship the Lord Mylaralingeshwara and Sri Mhalasaambaa as the basic Father and Mother of this Universe. The first son of this God and Goddess of the universe being the Intellect, that Lord is known as Ganapathi. Because of His Intellectual powers, Ganapathi is called as Doddaiah (the eldest). The second son is the six faced Shanmukha,representing the destroyer of six universal enemies viz., Desire, Anger, Greed, Passion, Pride and Jealousy is called as Chikkaiah.

On the first day of this three day Chikkaiah- Doddaiah Pooja celelebrations, the Prasdam with lord's blessings from Devaragudda will be received & Deity installed. In the evening, Swamijis will be given a warm welcome by Poorna Kumbha and Dhooli Pada Pooja followed by Bhajans,Asheerwada Pravachana, Pooja & Aarati .

On the second day in the morning session ,Bhandara Archnam will be performed in groups, while preparations for Naivedya. In the after noon, while Rudrabhisheka pooja is being performed , Sumangalis will worship Gangamma & devoees will bring Gangamma to Pooja place.After the Chikkaiah Pooja, Naivedyam is kept before the Lord & prayers offered for its acceptance.All the doors/openings will be closed. After chanting 17th chapter of Mallari Puranam,mentioned in Padma Puranam, door will be opened & pooja performed with the lighting of Deevatige and Aarati . Devotees will be enthralled by the Darshan (sight) of the marks of Palm, Trishula & Horse foot on the Naivedyam and feel immensely blessed by the Lord's Grace and Prasadam.

On the third day,Navagraha & Mallari Homa are performed and Poornahuthi offered. Doddaiah Pooja is performed with Rudabhishekam and Naivedyam , comprising of a portion of previous day Butti Prasadam and other Goodies freshly prepared , offered to Lord. Swamijis will deliver the Anugraha Pravachana and bless the devotees with Phala Mantrakshate.After the Kalashodaka Prokshanam & Prasada Viniyogam the Pooja Celebrations come to an end and the devotees return to their homes with sweet memories and be in waiting for the next Ckikkaiah Doddaiah Pooja.

Bhandaara with fifteen ingredients represent the fifteen impediments to be overcome. The curd rice signifies the knowledge and perfection (or true love of the God). Performance of Abhisheka amounts to penance and the Sacrificial offerings signify that our entire life should be dedicated to the benefit of the society as a whole; Service to mankind is Service to the God.