Thousands Watch 'Puttur Bedi' with Delight

Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Apr 18: The week-long car festival of historically famous Lord Mahalingeshwara Temple here concluded with ‘Puttur Bedi’ on Tuesday April 17 night.

‘Puttur Bedi’, an occasion eagerly awaited by the people of the region, represents bursting of traditionally made fire crackers, which are varied in style, colour, functions, and size. As these colourful fire crackers created a magical world in the town, people took in its spelndour to their hearts’ content.

State Chief Minister, D V Sadananda Gowda, who had never missed the festival during the last 30 years, could not attend it this time. His wife, Datti, however came to the temple, paid obeisance to the deity and took part in the Darshana Bali of the temple. The people were heard saying that the CM, who had sought the permission of the deity during his recent visit to the temple, to remain absent from this year’s festival on account of his scheduled foreign trip, did not get the nod of the deity, and hence, his foreign trip plan got cancelled.

The car festival of the temple, which was built in 12fth century, is traditionally held during April every year. During the entire week of the festival, procession of the Lord’s idol is taken around the town, and the aesthetically decorated chariot of the Lord is pulled by devotees at night. In addition to Puttur Bedi, Bangarakatte Savari ritual and Utsav were also held on Tuesday night.