JOIN USNormally annual temple fairs will have religious rituals and special pooja. But the annual fair of Ullaya Daivasthana of Khandigebeedu near Surathkal is unique and different from the rest. It is all about catching fish in River Nandini.
The fair is normally held on the day of Sankramana. After Khandige Gurikar Adithya Mukkaldi offers prasadam to the fish, the devotees started catching fishes in the river. Even this year devotees waited for the ritual to be completed so that they could plunge into the water to catch fishes.
The devotees who participated in large number bring the nets and other fishing equipment to catch the fishes. The fish catch is sold at the same venue.
More than one thousand fish was sold on Monday. The taste of river fish attracts large number of buyers.
The devotees catch fish twice a year here. First, in the month of April and later in May.
Devotees from in and around Khandige as well as from far away places in the district take part in the fish catching event. Almost every household in the nearby villages will have lip-smacking fish delicacies cooked at home.
The nemotsava of Ullaya Daiva will be held on Tuesday morning.