Suttur all set for six-day Jathra Mahotsav

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will formally launch the annual six-day Jathra Mahothsav of Adijagadguru Sri Shivaratrishwara Shivayogi at Suttur, on the banks of Kabini River, in Nanjangud taluk, on Tuesday.

A host of Union ministers and state ministers will inaugurate various events lined-up for the jathra. Seers from various religious institutions will participate.

JSS Mahavidyapeetha of the Suttur Mutt, the organisers of the jathra, have taken up a project to popularise Digital India and cashless transactions, the ambitious campaigns of the Centre, among the rural people during the Jathra Mahothsav. The initiative has been taken up in collaboration with the Vittiya Saksharatha Abhiyan of the Union HRD ministry.

More than 25 lakh people from across the country and even from foreign countries are expected to take part in the fair. Last year 20 lakh people had taken part in the jathra.

H Gangadharan, president of the Jatha Committee, also a former MLA, said, as the centenary year celebrations of the late seer Shivaratri Rajendra Swami was held during the year 2016, the centenary ratha has toured all over the state to popularise his achievements and contributions to the society. “So, people from many north Karnataka districts have shown interest to participate in the jathra. Though the fair is religious in nature, it will provide an opportunity to the artistes, people from various walks of life, farmers, scientists and engineers to exhibit their innovations and techniques to take their findings to the doorsteps of the people.

The jathra includes Rathotsava, Theppotsava, Kondotsava, boating, special pujas, mass marriage, religious meet, bhajans mela, exhibition, Chitra Santhe, Krishi Mela, wrestling, cattle fair, traditional games, kite flying, cultural shows, rangoli competition, sobanepada, drawing competition for children, and other events,” he said.

Cultural programmes will be held every evening at three venues. The organisers provide free accommodation for artistes and those involved in the organisation of the jathra. On all six days, KSRTC will ply special busses to Suttur from various places, including Bengaluru, Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Gundulpet and other taluks.

The organisers provide free food for all visitors. More than 500 cooks will prepare food and every day at least 1.5 lakh people are expected have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Various philanthropists have contributed for the mass feeding. The organisers have stocked 1,500 quintals of fine rice from Siraguppa, 150 quintal of tur dal, 25,000 litres of oil, 150 quintal of sugar, 25 tonne of jaggery, 50,000 coconuts and 5,000 kg pickles. Besides, markets of Bengaluru, Mysuru, Najnagud, Gundulpet, Pandavapura and Ooty will provide truckloads of vegetables every day while 50,000 litres of milk and curds each will be required.

Free food will be provided at nine different venues and sweets will be provided at least two times with the food during each day. Five lakh laadus, 5 lakh badushah, 150 quintal of boondi and other sweets are being prepared.
DH News Service