Pics: Inchara Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 28: The annual cultural fair, 'Suggi Mari Puja', got a grand beginning on the evening of Tuesday March 27 in all the three shrines in Kaup dedicated to Goddess Mari, which are knonn as 'Marigudis', simultaneously.
The festival began with the bringing of ornaments and the idol of Goddess Mariyamma from Kaup Venkatramana temple, and Kaup Lord Lalxmijanardana temple. The idol of the goddess was installed in its seat.
On Wednesday evening, after the conclusion of various rituals connected with Mari Puja, the idol of the Goddess is brought down from its seat and discharged in pre-determined place. With this, the Suggi Mari Puja at Kaup concludes.
On this occasion, all the three Marigudis were decorated with colourful flowers and electrical lighting. A large number of street side vendors with attractive wares vied with each other to attract customers at the fair.
Mari Puja is held at Marigudis in Kaup thrice every year, during Aati, Jarde, and Suggi months asper Tulunadu tradition. During Suggi Mari Puja, lacs of devotees not only from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, but also from Uttara Kannada, districts on the ghat section, Mumbai, Kerala, andother places throng the town.
The seat of the goddess is the main feature of the Mari Puja here, and 'Gaddige Puja' is the most popular offering to appease the goddess. Hoovina Puja, Kumkumarchana, and sacricice of sheep, goats, poultry birds etc are are the other forms of services.
Police presence in large numbers in all the three Marigudis has been arranged to ensure that no untoward incidents happen. Over a hundred policemen including senior officials have been deployed here. 18 CCTV cameras have been installed in strategic places.
Kaup municipality has also geared itself up for the task with the main aim of maintaining hygiene and cleanliness during the festival. About 25 civic workers are busy with the work since Tuesday morning. 45 drums have been placed at various places to enable the visitors to throw waste. Over 85 boards have ben set up to impart information about the need for maintaining cleanliness in the region, to tourists. Chief officer of the municipality, Rayappa, has asked the concerned to separate wet and dry waste and put them in separate containers to maintain cleanliness. He warned that plastic use has beenbanned dufinr the Mari Puja and those found violating the order will risk payment of fine.