A Pilot report on
Kirnotsav in Mahalaxmi
(Ambabai) temple, Kolhapur during ‘Dakshinayan’
and ‘Uttarayan’of Sun
Prof.
(Dr) Milind Manohar Karanjkar
M.Sc.Ph.d.
Professor
and head,
Department
of Physics and Astrophysics,
Vivekanand College, Kolhapur (Autonomous).
(Maharashtra)
India.
A
report on Kirnotsav
in Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple,
Kolhapur during ‘Dakshinayan’ and Uttarayan
A scientific study of Kirnotsav in Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, (India)
during ‘Dakshinayan’ and Uttarayan
Intorduction:-
Mahalaxmi (Ambabai)
temple built in an ancient time is an excellent architectural design with
natural stones. Kirnotsava at Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra is one of the most awaited festival
for a people from Maharashtra and other states. It is also becoming popular
amongst people from other countries. During ‘Dakshinayan’
and
Uttarayan of sun the sun rays
traverse about 200 meter , from Mahadwar
arch to idol goddess Mahalaxmi (Ambabai). During ‘Dakshinayan’ of Sun (November 9,10 and11) and Uttarayan of Sun (January 31 and February 1 and 2) sun rays spectacularly illuminates an entire
path, that dominates reddish golden
sunrays stemming from longer wavelength of solar spectrum (650-700 nm). The
typical path following by sun rays during ‘Dakshinayan’
is : Mahadwar road arch (5.00pm),Garud mandup back side (5.17pm), Garud mandup (5.21 pm),Ganapati mandir back side(5.26 pm), Kasav chowk (5.32pm), Pitali Umbhartha (5.37 pm), Khajina chowk(5.39 pm),Garbhgruha first step (5.41 pm ), Garbhgruha second step (5.42 pm ), Garbhgruha third step (5.43 pm ), Garbhkuti (5.43 to 5.44 pm), Katanjan(5.44 pm), idol (5.45 to 5.49 pm).
In Uttarayan of sun the the typical path following by sun rays is Mahadwar road arch (5.18 pm),Garud mandup back side (5.36pm), Garud mandup (5.41 pm),Ganapati mandir back side(5.44 pm), Kasav chowk (6.00pm), Pitali Umbhartha (6.05 pm), Khajina chowk(6.07 to 6.08 pm),Garbhgruha first step (6.10 pm), Garbhgruha second step (6.11 pm ), Garbhgruha third step (6.12 pm ), Garbhkuti first step(6.12
to 6.13pm), Katanjan(6.14 pm), idol
(6.15 to 6.19 pm). The entire event of 3days is supposed to be highly sacred
and religious. Thus attracts about 30 thousand people every day. It is supposed
to be very fortune and life fulfilling event for all those who attended it
personally.
Kirnotsav has been always the topic of great enthusiasm and full of complexities. Hence previously some people tried to undertake its scientific study. However due to many reasons, for several years the festival did not take place full-fledged i.e. sun rays did not reached up to the face of the idol or covers entire idol, and the overall light intensity as the path was reduced.
Prof.(Dr) Milind Manohar Karanjkar ,Head department of Physics and Astrophysics, Vivekanand College, Kolhapur (Autonomous) and his team of students decided to work on these problems scientifically to overcome the problem and get remedy on it, few years back. They observed following problems:
1) The heavy traffic at nearby places of
temple and human interference created enormous amount of dust particles that
scatter sun light and deviate their path.
This lessens the intensity of sun rays and their amount which are not enough to
illuminate full idol, with desired intensity.
2) A crowd of about 2000 people,
gathered inside the temple, caused dramatic increase in abnormal humidity. This
refracts the sun rays to a great extent.
3) In addition direct human interference
in the pathway obstructs sun rays.
4) The nearby shopkeepers used to
lighten their shops, which increased stray light.
5) Further obstructions occurred due to
building, water tanks, trees, hoardings and electric cables.
6) Furthermore fog, smog, smokes, clouds,
rain storm, winds, cared natural obstructions.
The humidity, intensity of light, wind speed and temperature were continuously monitored and studied accurately with the help of Data logger, Lux meter, Anemometer and Thermal gun. The systematic record of all these physical parameters at various locations within the temple. The final plan was worked out accordingly, to observe full-fledged kirnotsav.
Following tasks are undertaken to solve
the above problems/difficulties.
1) Considering the human interference,
the major obstacle; the initial steps are taken to convince people to observe
and see the phenomenon live on screen, placed in the temple premises. This was
only possible with the cooperation and arrangement made by Shri. Mahesh Jadhav
, Chiarman, Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan
Samiiti, Kolhapur and his official
team. Further he made the live streaming
of the event through website of devasthan
samiiti , local TV channels and other electronic medias to avoid crowd
inside the temple. Subsequently, this help reducing the amount of dust particles,
humidity, temperature, physical obstruction by the people. The illumination
intensity is dramatically improved.
2) Only optimal no. of people (20) allowed
including print and electronic media persons, office staff of the devasthan samiiti and priests inside the temple during the kirnotsav time. Pachim Maharashtra Devasthan samitii request to stake holders to remove the
water tanks on the buildings and apartments, temporarily extension shades
advertising boards on the shop, some electricity cables on the way, trees on
the path are trimmed. It is seen that the sun rays travel in
proper way and reaches to deity at the proper place and the kirnotsav is successfully complete both
in the ‘Dakshinayan’ and ‘Uttarayan’ properly and required lux
level is obtained.
3) All
the incandescent lamps high mask lamos are replaced by LED to reduce power
consumption and ambient temperature.
4)The
subsequent reflection came due to vitrified tiles, fitted in the temple,
obstruct resultant intensity. The path of the sun rays is covered by cloth mats
to reduce reflection of light to avoid light interference. This minimizes the
loss of sunrays during their journey. The intensity, temperature, humidity,
wind speed and direction of sunrays are monitored during kirnotsav.
Conclusion:
(kirnotsav,
during the ‘Dakshinayan’ of
sun)
In the current situation study/results
indicates that if environment is clear, no dense clouds in the sky, no dust particles, no pollutants, and if only optimal no. of
people (maximum 20) enter inside the temple during the period of Kirnotsav i.e. from 5.00 pm to 5.55 pm (‘Dakshinayan’ of sun),the sunrays festival
called as Kirnotsav succeeds for five days.
After successful study
of kirnotsav, during the ‘Dakshinayan’ of the sun , we noticed /found that
festival occurs during November 9 , 10
,11,12 and ends on November 13. i.e after two days of previous dates
announced.( 9Nov. to 11 Nov. ).
Further as per our observations the study shall
be extended up to 14, and 15 Nov. to check the sun rays reaches or not on
deity. If above mentioned factors are up to the required mark the period of ‘Dakshinayan’ Kirnotsav
may
be ends/last on 15 Nov. 2020. (up to seven days)
Conclusion: (kirnotsav,
during the ‘Uttarayanyan’ of
sun)
In the current
situation the study/results indicates that if environment is clear, no dense
clouds in the sky, no dust
particles, no pollutants, and if only
optimal no. of peoples (maximum 20) enter inside the temple during the period
of Kirnotsav i.e. from 5.15 pm to 6.20
pm (‘‘Uttarayanyan’’ of sun),the
sunrays festival called as Kirnotsav succeeds for five days.
After successful study of kirnotsav, during the ‘‘Uttarayanyan’
Further as per our observations the study shall
be started from 27 and 28 January to check the sun rays reaches or not on
deity. If above mentioned factors are up to the required mark the period of ‘‘Uttarayanyan’ Kirnotsav may
be up to seven days.
Photographs of (kirnotsav, during the ‘Dakshinayan’ of sun)
Photographs
of (kirnotsav, during the ‘Uttarayanyan’ of sun)
