Chariots, which were decorated with flowers in various hues, fruits and buntings and had arrived from 16 villages, marked the annual Doddammathayi Jatre, popularly known as ‘Bandi Jatre’, in Kestur near Santhemarahalli, Chamarajanagar district on Sunday.
The idol of Doddammathayi was taken out on a procession with devotees alongside the carts. Thousands of people had gathered near the temple chanting hymns while the decorated chariots pulled by bullocks were taken out on a procession.
As soon as the temple priest performed puja and sprinkled holy water, the devotees broke coconut (idigayi) as a offer to God and threw the same at the wheels of the carts fulfilling their vows.
Bandi Jatre, is the most popular festival, where devotees from 16 villages- Kestur, Honnegowdanahundi, Puttegowdanahundi, Toravalli, Bhogapura, Kiragasuru, Kellamballi, Mariyala, Dasanur, Chikkahomma, Doddahomma, Ankusharayanapura, Anahalli, Mookhalli, Sappayyanapura and Heggavadi participate with great enthusiasm. In all, 23 villages celebrate the festival.
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