The six-day annual festival (jatra mahothasava) of the 11th-century pontiff Sri Shivarathreshwara began at Suttur village, located on the banks of Kabini River here on Saturday.
On day one, thousands of people from Mysuru region and parts of the state thronged the village. Actor Shivrajkumar inaugurated the Cultural Mela. He also performed a dance on a film song. Similarly, Krushi Mela and exhibition were inaugurated on the occasion. As part of Krushi Mela, on one acre of land, as many as 152 varieties of crops have been cultivated. A symposium on agriculture has been scheduled for January 16.
Basava Maralusidda Swami of Basava Kendra, Shivamogga, Bhanukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami of Kambadahalli Jain mutt, Jayarajendra Swami, MLAs S Suresh Kumar, M P Ravindra, H P Manjunath, film producer S A Chinnegowda, former chief secretary B S Patil, retired IAS officer C Somashekar, JSS Mahavidyapeeta secretary S P Manjunath were present during the inaugural ceremony.
Others activities, such as state-level bhajans mela, desi games, rangoli, drawing competition, wrestling, cattle fair, will commence on Sunday.
The mass marriage ceremony has been scheduled for Sunday. As many as 150 couples will tie the knot on the occasion.
The new 55-feet tall chariot (ratha), weighing over 45 tonnes and built at a cost of Rs 2 crore will be dedicated by Governor Vajubhai R Vala on Monday, during the Maha Rathotsava.
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