Coracle contest draws crowd

The coracle competition organised by the Korti-Kolhar Bridge Reconstruction Struggle Committee drew the attention of the people near the bridge constructed across the River Krishna near Korti-Kolhar in Basavanabagewadi taluk in Vijaypur district on Sunday.

In the competition which witnessed a tough fight, Durgappa and Hanumanth of Araldinni bagged first prize, Chandru and Manju got second prize and Tayappa and Anil got the third prize.

The competition began on the banks of the river at Korti. After the competitors set rowing, the enthusiasm of the onlookers was also boosted. As soon as the teams began reaching the end point in their coracles, victory celebrations began. The competitors, who had begun the competition by uttering the name of Goddess Ganga, drank the water of the Krishna to quench their thirst and thanked the river. The people gathered at the final point also celebrated with the participants and cheered them.

Speaking after flagging off the competition, former minister S K Bellubbi said that Krishna river is like a mother to them as she nurtured her. She was their lifeline. Every year, the competition is held during the Ganga Puja.

MLC S R Patil, Gangadhar Kuntoji and Bheemangowda Biradar sponsored the prizes. Kolhar Digambareshwar Mutt’s Kallinath Devaru, Kolhar Hiremath’s Kailasnath Swamiji, Zilla Panchayat member Jaysingh Nayak, Sangangowda Chikkond and others were present.