Traditional rathotsava draws huge crowd

The Lakshmi Narayana-swamy rathotsava was held with religious grandeur and devotion at Bendaravadi village in the taluk on Monday.

The residents of Mallaiahanapura, Megalahundi, Palya, Konanur, Kerehalli, Heggavadi, Bhujanagapura, Sannegowdanahundi, Muthige, Mukkadahalli and Palya participated in the rathotsava in large numbers.

The devotees began arriving at the temple premises from the wee hours and the Lakshmidevi kondotsava was held in the early morning.

The procession deity was placed on the chariot at around 10 am, which was taken on a procession on the main roads of the village and returned to the same spot by afternoon.

The deity was accompanied by folk and traditional instruments and a large number of devotees.  The local residents also provided buttermilk, ‘panaka’ to the devotees to beat the heat.