Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network- Kundapur (RJP)

Kundapur, Aug 11: Thousands of people from all faiths participated with devotion in the famous Mari Jathre held at Sri Kannika Parameshwari temple in Kandlur on Wednesday, August 10.

Kandlur Sri Kannika Parameshwari temple holds two Jathre festivals in a year, the first in the month of March which is called ‘Gende Seve Halu Habba’ and the second, the Mari Jathre celebrated on the last Wednesday of Ashada month. The latter feast held during the day time is known throughout Udupi district as a testimony of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Every year people from 8 to 9 different communities make preparation for the feast which includes making a wooden idol of goddess Parameshwari from hangara tree. Jogi people traditionally take up the task of adoration of goddess. Gudigara community paints the statue a day before the feast day. Mogaveera community brings the idol to the temple in one-kilometre procession with the public participating and subsequently installs the idol.

Adoration is held for a day after that. Later the idol is taken from the temple, in a procession and immersed in water. “People believe that participation in the festival drives away the misfortunes and diseases from their lives.” says K Gopala Jogi.

Hindu, Muslims and Christians participate and render help for this feast. The Jathre is held just in front of the Kandlur mosque. People also buy things in the Jathre market.

Muslims have been wholeheartedly coordinating with Hindu brethren for years. It is not considered as Hindu festival in the area. Muslims treat this as their own feast. Namaz during the Jathre compliments the occasion in praising God. The feast is a real sign of religious harmony.

Hannukai, Madilu Seve, Kunkumarchane, Mangalarathi, Kukkutarpane, are some of the traditional rituals held during the Jathre.

Around twenty thousand people participate in teh feats from morning to evening.