Chikkallur jatra fails to draw crowd

The district administration had banned animal sacrifice

The annual Siddappaji jatra mahotsava at Chikkallur in Kollegal taluk, was held with religious fervour, on Thursday. But the popular ‘Pankti seva’, where animals are sacrificed and a non-vegetarian feast is served, failed to draw a crowd this year, as the district administration was successful in preventing animal sacrifice as directed by the High Court.

The district administration had set up special check-posts and stopped the people from carrying animals like sheep and fowl. But, a few were able to dodge the authorities, by walking through the forest, carrying sheep and fowl. They were seen offering animals at a distance, amid fear of police action. Some others, who did not want to give a miss to the tradition of ‘pankti seva’ had brought meat from the house and cooked food on the premises.

A few devotees expressed their disappointment over not allowing them to offer prayers as per their custom, that has been followed since decades.