DEWA WAHANAS (VEHICLES FOR IDOLS)
Shree Lakshmi Narayan Palakhi: This is a small Palakhi. Except for the period of Chaturmasa there is a procession of the Palakhi of Shree Lakshmi Narayan. The custom is that this Palakhi is carried only by the priests.
Shree Ramnath : There are two wooden Pallakhis for Shree Ramnath. The procession of Shree Ramnath Palakhi takes place on every Monday, except in Navratra.
Silver Palakhi is donated by late
Shri Vasudevarao V. Bichu of Belgaum. It is artfully carved. The artists were brought to Ramnathi and the Palakhi was prepared there only. There is a beautiful silver ASANA for
Shree Ramnath. He has also donated a big golden Gonda(weighing 1710 grams) to be hung in this Palakhi. It was donated in 1951-52. He also gave a big teakwood box for safe keeping the Palakhi.
Silver Palkhi
Golden Palkhi: There is a golden Palkhi for
Shree Ramnath. Our dreams have been realised due to generous donations of Ramnath devotees. During Mahashivrathri Shree Ramnath sits in this golden palkhi.
Wahana For Four Dieties: There is an exquisite vehicle of Devasthan. At the top of this there is a small decorated 'niche' for Shree Lakshmi Narayan. Below this, there is a bigger space for the Idol of Shree Ramnath. On either sides of Shree Ramnath there are two bigger 'niches' (Devare) for the idols of Goddesses Shree Shanteri and Shree Kamaksha. They are attached to the main Asana by strong hinges so that they could be folded while bringing the "Wahana" out of the main entrance of Devalaya. On the anniversary day of Shikar Kalasha Pratishta, this Wahana is placed in beautiful decorated Mandap erected on two boats floating in Talli.
Char Devache Wahan Makhar: This is used only during Navratri Festival. As the old one was very old, and broken, the one which is now being used, was got made by Ganpat Chari of Sadashivgad in 1982. The old one had painted square glass pieces. In their place, he now used thick plastic square on which are painted Shankh, Chakra, Gada, Padma and different bunches of flowers. Formerly for the first nine days Shree Kamaksha used to be sitted in this. On the tenth day Shree Ramnath and on the 11th day Shree Shanteri. But now for the last three years, for the first nine days, both Shree Kamaksha and Shree Shanteri sit and on 10th and 11th both days, Shree Ramnath sits. This is done as per the directions of Betal Awasar.
Shree Ramnath in Makar
Lalakhi: The Devasthan has two Lalakhis, one with varnish paint and the other with coloured oil paints.
Vijayaratha: This Vijayarath was four galloping horses and Shreekrishna "as Sarathi" is donated by Shri Subraya Kare of Bombay. After Shimolangham Shree Ramnath is made to sit in it.So also on Falguna Shudha Dwitiya Shree Kamaksha is seated on it.
Ashwavahan: This is donated by
Shrimati Hirabai M. Talauliker of Panjim. Shree Ramnath is seated in it after becomes back from Naukavihar on Falguna Shudha Pratipada.
Garudawahan: This is donated by
Late Shri Ramachandra V. Pai of Merces. On 2nd Monday of Shravan, Shree Ramnath is seated in it.
Silver Sukhasan: This was donated by
Late Shri Vijay Massurekar of Mumbai. It is widely used on different occasions for different idols.
Elephant - Ambari: This is donated by
Shri Padrigudde Mukund Shenai, an officer of Netherland Bank, Bombay. After Simollanghan, Shree Ramnath is seated in it and on the Mahashivratri day, Shree Ramnath is seated.
Khandyavarcha Rath:Though there are different God Vehicles in our Devasthan, this particular Rath has a special significance in our Devasthan. On the top part of this, there are many holes in which hundreds of decorated flags are fitted. This Rath is held on hands and shoulders by about 20 or more persons and they dance with it at the tune on Dhol and Tasha.
At about 5 a.m. on the day next to Mahashivratri Shree Ramnath is taken in a Palakhi near Tali. There, he is seated in the Ratha. A special brass Naga is placed there and then the Ratha is brought near the temple, dancing. After some time the Ratha is brought in the Mandap and the Idol is taken inside. Again at 5 p.m. the procession starts. When Shree Ramnath is in Rath, Shree Kamaksha is by the side of him in a Palakhi. People throw Ladu, Coins etc. on Ratha.The honour of dancing with Ratha is of Adpaikars. While coming to Ramnathi from Lotli our deities were halted at Adpai on the other side of Zuari till a suitable place was found. At that time these Adpaikars had helped our ancestors. For the sake of dancing with Ratha early in the morning they come and stay in the Devastham premises, previous night.
