Melkote gears up for Rathasaptami

Special pujas and rituals are organised as part of Rathasapthami celebrations at Sri Cheluvanarayana Swamy temple, Melkote, Mandya district.

The idol would be taken out in a procession on gold-plated Suryamandala chariot in the morning. An inter-state folk festival ‘Janapada Kalaradhane’ will be held on the day.

Nagaraja Iyengar Samkrutika Vedike is conducting the folk festival since three decades. Besides folk troupes from across Karnataka, artistes from Tamil Nadu and Kerala are participating.

Chendemela, Padeyani and Kathakali from Kerala, Karagattam, Oyilattam, Puliattam from Tamil Nadu, will be the main attractions during the festival.

Folk artistes from several districts in Karnataka will present, Maragalu kunitha, hulivesha, keelukudure and other folk art forms.