Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Dec 15: The famed Mahatobara Shri Kotilingeshwara Temple Rathotsava (Kodihabba) was celebrated with fervour and grandeur on Sunday, December 15.

The festival kicked off at 11:45 am with the auspicious Kumbh Lagna, marking the Rathorohana (chariot procession) and Maharatotsava. Prior to the procession, various religious activities were held, attracting thousands of devotees to the temple from early morning. As the chariot made its way through the streets, the air was filled with joyous "Jai" chants, while the crowd swelled in excitement. This year’s celebrations saw an even larger turnout, as the Rathotsava coincided with a Sunday.

The Koteshwara Rathotsava is the largest festival in the coastal district and is locally known as Kodihabba. A unique tradition during the event is for newlyweds to take home a bundle of sugarcane, a practice that continues to be observed today.

Another highlight of the festival was the ritual of walking around Kotikere (the temple lake), which holds special significance. Devotees participated in large numbers, and precautions were taken to ensure the rice offered during the ritual didn’t fall into the lake, where it could be eaten by the fish.

Garuda Pradakshina:

The Garuda Pradakshina, a key feature of the Rathotsava, also took place, drawing the attention of many devotees.

Annasantharpane (Community Feast):

A community feast was organised for the devotees, with thousands enjoying the meal in the spirit of the festival.

The event was attended by temple administrator Tahsildar Shobhalakshmi H S, operational officer Prashanth Kumar Shetty, priests, chief priest Prasannakumar Aithal, renovation committee president Krishna Deva Karant, and numerous other staff and volunteers.