Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Nov 24: Thousands of people from local villages and outside witnessed grand celebrations of Car Festival held in Koteshwar, near here on Friday, November 23.

Devotees took part in religious customs spreading rice on white cloth and offered traditional pooja. P Raviraj Bhat Nandalike held idol of Kotilingeshwara on his head and danced.

Devotees shouted Harahara Mahadev slogans and climbed on car. Mangalarathi and fruits were offered. Coconuts were broken before pulling the car.

Organising committee president Markodu Gopalakrishna Shetty, members N Raghavendra Rao Neramballi, Shanker Chatrabettu, Bharathi Ananda Devadiga, Sushila Shet, Jyothi S Naik, executive officer Ganesh Rao, fisheries federation former president B Hirianna, district home guards second in command Rajesh K C, local leaders M Sudhirkumar Shetty, Dinesh Kamath, Krishnadeva Karanth Koni, Buddaraj Shetty, Dr Sudhaker Nambiar, Mahesh Poojary Kodi, Ramesh Bhat, Gururaj Rao, Prabhaker Shetty Vakwadi, DySP B P Dinesh Kumar, circle inspector Manjappa, sub inspector Harish Naik were present.

The number of devotees was less when compared to previous years. It is said that the festival falling in between the week and people losing interest could be a cause for the lower footfall.