Mysuru: Karnataka minister gets nostalgic about Nanjangud fair

Mysuru: Participating in Sri Srikanteshwara ‘Dodda Jatra’ (Gautama Pancha Maha Rathotsava) at Nanjangud town, on Monday, Mysuru District in-charge and Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa took a trip down memory lane, sharing his childhood memories.

In a social media post, the minister reflected on how the fair remains a symbol of innocence and communal harmony, transcending the barriers of caste and religion.

Wading through Kapila

Mahadevappa mentioned that his native village, Hadinaru, is just a few kilometres from Nanjangud, and he frequently visited his relatives in Hejjige village, on the banks of the Kapila River.

“Those days, poverty was widespread. I carefully preserved a rare pair of pants and a shirt that my mother had stitched for me, specifically to wear during the fair," he wrote.

He shared a memory of crossing the Kapila River back, when there was no bridge. "To ensure that my new pants didn't get wet, I would fold them up high above my knees or even carry them on my head while wading through the water. Once on the other bank, I would put them back on to enter the fair in style," his social media post reads.

Simple joys

The minister also recalled the value of money in the past. “With just Rs 2 or Rs 3 in my pocket, I would buy Bendu-Battasu (sugar candies) and puffed rice. I would eat a bit there and carefully carry the rest back across the river for home, ensuring the treats stayed dry," he reminisced.

Mahadevappa noted that his childhood struggles influenced his work as a people’s representative. He expressed pride in having facilitated the construction of the Nanjangud-Hejjige bridge, which now allows villagers to cross the river with ease.