Muktimandapa

About

Muktimandapa. Finally, pilgrims have to sit in the Muktimandapa (‘pavilion of liberation’) and worship Vishnu, Bhairava, Surya (Sun) and five forms of Ganesha/Vinayaka (Kashi Rahasya 10.67-69), followed by worshipping the divinities of the compound. The patron deity of this pavilion is Vishnu, that is how only his name is mentioned in some other lists. The last rite includes remembrance of all the divine beings, sacred sites visited during the pilgrimage and even all the religious acts performed, while asking to be excused for any gaps, mistakes or avoidance of rules committed unknowingly. The priest cites the papana„astrota (the prayer relieves from the sins›), requesting Vishnu to grant boon and bliss, and pilgrims repeat this. O Madhava! My mind encouraged committing sins, You are the Supreme!, let my sins be taken away. O the Cosmic Soul! Govinda! Caretaker of wellbeing, The Lord of universe, destroyer of sins, help me. Unknowing i do committed sins in the morning, Also at dawn, daytime and night too by minds and words; Sometimes by ignorance and sometimes by mistake, Let all my sins away by citing your three names: O Harikrishna, O Pundarikasha and O Madhava! This prayer of repentance is the last resort, and more powerful than any other ritual fasts. By this prayer all the sins would vanish, And the merits will be granted to devotee.