Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 22: As part of the annual fair (jatre) at the Kateel Durga Parameshwari temple, the traditional Thootedara ritual was held in front of the temple premises.
This fiery ritual, a symbolic battle involving fire, is held between the residents of two villages—Atturu and Kodethuru. As part of the ceremony, both groups engaged in a symbolic confrontation by throwing burning torches at each other.
After the ritual, prasadam was distributed to both teams following the ceremonial abhisheka (avabrutha) of the deity.
The ritual is believed to appease the goddess who is said to have destroyed evil forces. Thootedara is a unique and significant part of the temple festivities, observed on the final day of the annual jatre. This year, more than 300 devotees took part in the ritual.