ALL ABOUT DODDA JATHRE FESTIVAL CELEBRATED AT KARNATAKA'S SRIKANTESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE

One of the biggest temples of the Old Mysuru region, including Bengaluru, is the Srikanteshwara Swamy temple or Nanjundeshwara temple located in Nanjangud. It is officially known as Nanjanagudu town. This temple is on the banks of the river Kapila which is also called the Kabini. One of the major attractions of the temple is known as the Dodda Jathre festival.

According to Local 18 Kannada, the idol of Lord Srikanteshwara Swamy was brought from the temple by the priests in a palanquin at 6.30 pm and placed in the mandapam on the riverside. Post the completion of the puja rituals, the idol was placed in a boat and the devotees gathered on the bank cheered for their God.

The boat carrying the idol of the Srikanteshwara Swamy moved up and down three times in a rhythm as per tradition. The trees on the opposite bank of the river were also decorated with electric lights.

During this festival, the flashing arrow signs are made with the help of some devices that create beautiful impressions in the air and are loved by the onlookers. This was a signal to the people from the town and surrounding villages to arrive near the banks of the Kapila River from 6 pm to watch these amazing fireworks in the sky.

Five chariots are the other major attractions of this festival. These chariots are pulled through a specially prepared rope by the devotees and they sit in the early hours to pull the chariot. Pulling the chariot is one of the offerings made to the lord Shrikantheshwara here.

As part of the festival, a small exhibition is arranged by the district administration in association with the other governmental agencies.

Special police forces are deputed to maintain the law and order situation at the time of the Dodda Jathre festival.

2024-03-26T14:59:50Z dg43tfdfdgfd