Karkala: Nandalike Ayanotsava, Siri Jatre on March 27
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (SP)
Karkala, Mar 23: The unique annual Siri Jatre, which finds a mention in the mythology relating to the region, and Ayanotsava, will be held on Wednesday March 27, at Lord Mahalingeshwara Temple in Nandalike in the taluk. This information was given by N Suhas Hegde of Nandalike Chavadi Aramane at a press conference held here on Friday March 22.
Hegde said that 'Horekanike' procession in this connection will be taken out on March 25. A procession comprising of 20 cultural troupes will be led to the temple from the Aramane building at 8.30 pm on March 27, he explained. The car festival of the temple will be held on April 30, followed by Rashi Puja on May 1, he informed, adding that CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic points to keep tab on the activities during the annual festival.
He also said that the 'Mailugallu (milestone)' scheme employed this time by the templel management for giving large scale propaganda to the temple festival has become extremely popular. "These milestones, planted in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Shimoga districts, have succeeded in drawing attention of the people there," he said.
This temple has a history of over a thousand years.The festival is famous for a unique custom meant to rid the women who happen to be in a trance after allegedly having been possessed by ‘Siri’, by driving the external power out of their bodies by the ‘Patri’ possessed by Kumara.
Thousands throng the temple during the period of the festival, where month-long festivities like Ambodi Utsava, Bali Utsava, Abbaga-Daraga Chennemane, Deepotsava, will be held for the appeasement of Lord Shiva and other deities like Siri, Naga, Kumara, Abbaga and Daraga. Every year, lacs of people throng the temple where age-old traditions and customs have been retained without any changes.
The hereditory trustees have requested the devotees to take part in all the programmes being held during the period of Kumbha Pournami to Meena Pournami, and invoke the blessings of the presiding deities.
The press conference was attended by Ravidas Kudva.