Media Release

Udupi, Aug 23: The Catholic Sabha Mangaluru and Udupi regions have urged the Karnataka government to declare a general holiday for schools in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on September 8, on the occasion of Monti Fest, also known as the harvest festival, celebrated to mark the nativity of Mother Mary.

A delegation led by MLC Ivan D’Souza met the state health minister U T Khader and chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh and submitted a memorandum seeking the holiday.

The delegation said September 8 has traditionally been observed by the Christian community across coastal Karnataka and other parts of the state as an important family festival. The day marks the birth of Mother Mary and is celebrated as Monti Fest or the harvest festival.

As part of the celebrations, farmers and families offer the season’s first harvest to god, participate in special prayers and religious services at churches, and celebrate with a traditional family feast.

The delegation appealed to the government to declare a general holiday in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on September 8, considering the cultural and religious significance of the festival for the Christian community.

Catholic Sabha Mangaluru region president Santosh D’Souza, vice-president Steven Rodrigues, political convener Stany Lobo, Udupi president Melvin Aranha Shirva, secretary Juliet D’Souza and others were part of the delegation.