Madikeri Dasara kicks off

Four Shakthi Devata Karagas were taken out in a procession

Historic Madikeri Dasara started off in a grand manner on Saturday with the traditional ‘Karaga utsav’ of the four Shakti Devatas viz Kundurumotte Chauti Mariyamma, Dandina Mariyamma, Kote Mariyamma and Kanchi Kamalakshi.

Rituals were performed at Pampinakere in the evening and the karagas were then taken for rounds in Madikeri amidst recital of hymns. The Karaga Pradakshina will be held for nine days of Navarathri and on the night of Vijayadashami, after the Dashamantapa sets out for procession.

‘Banni’ will be cut at the banni mantapa thereby ending the Karaga utsav.

Dasara Utsav Committee working president K M B Ganesh, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiwari, SP N M Anucheth, ZP CEO K B Anjanappa, Dashamantapa committee president Vinod Kumar and others were present.

A mass pooja was performed at Banni Mantapa. Later, pooja was offered at Pete Sri Rama Mandira.

History

Folklore has it that the people of Madikeri suffered from a disease a century ago. So the people of the region vowed to offer pooja to Shakthi devatha to ward off the disease. As a result, four Shakthi Devatas are take out in a procession during nine days.

Devotees will offer pooja to the Karagas while passing through different streets.
All those who carry Karaga on their head follow ‘vratha’ for one month.  Members of Yadava community carry Karaga on their head. Ex servicemen A Umesh has been carrying Dandina Mariyamma Karaga since 1974. “This is my 40th year of service,” he said.

Poojary Chami and Ramesh brothers have been carrying Kundurumotte temple Karaga for the last several years. Naveen carried Kanchi Kamakshi Karaga and Poojary Anush and his brother Umesh Subramani carried Kote Mariyamma Karaga.