Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3631

c9.3631

UTSAVA. Celebrations conducted in temples from olden days. There are Śāstraic (scriptural) injunctions as regards conducting utsavas. Utsava is an indispensable celebration when once the deity (idol) is installed in the temple. Utsava should be celebrated for one day, three days or seven days in the very same month in which the deity was installed, because non-celebration of Utsava will render the installation ineffective. Utsava should be conducted either during Uttarāyaṇa (movement of the sun from south to North) or Viṣu (when the Sun is in the centre) or at a time suitable to the temple authorities who conduct the utsava in Śayana, Upavana or Gṛha. It should commence with auspicious ceremonies like the sowing of seeds of nine varieties of foodgrains, and with dance, song, instrumental music etc.