Chikkallur jatre, a festival of harmony

Hundreds of devotees visited Chikkallur Siddappaji Jatre (fair) to witness Chandramandalotsava, a ritual that is an integral part of the festival.

Chandramandala is a pole decorated with bamboo pieces, flowers, banana stalks, buntings and fabric dipped in oil, and later set afire. It is believed that the direction in which Chandramandala leans gets good rainfall and people are blessed with prosperity. The festival has kept the people of several villages united for several decades now.

According to mythology, Siddappaji, a saint, had won over the ‘palegars’ through his miracles and won the confidence of the people of seven villages before settling in Chikkallur. As a mark of devotion, people of 18 communities residing in seven villages, celebrate Chandramandalotsava in harmony.

Chandramandala is created by all. While residents of Tellanuru donate the pole, bamboo pieces and moulds; Ikkadahalli villagers donate oil and cotton. Banur and Balagunase villagers donate sacred cloth. So far, Shagya villagers enjoy the privilege of creating Chandramandala. Not only this ritual, the villagers stay united in organising all the rituals till the last day of the fair.

The festival begins from Shagya and ends in the same village. So, more research should be conducted on the relationship of the village with the festival, opined folk scholar Mahadeva Shankanapura.