Udupi: ‘Tibar Jaatre’ Begins at Sri Kshetra Kodamanittaya 
Pics: Inchara Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)

Udupi, Dec 17: The annual ‘Jaatre’ at Sri Kshetra Kodamanittaya, Shibaroor, near here, began on Wednesday December 16.  The annual festivities at the temple are historically known as ‘Tibar Jaatre’, which is one among the seven such ‘Jaatras’ held in Tulunadu.

Tibar Jaatre was begun by hoisting of the flag on Wednesday morning and ‘Nemotsav’ was held on Wednesday afternoon with free food offerings to over 10,000 devotees.

Shibaroor Kodamanittaya Temple has been frequented by the natives over several centuries and there is a strong belief among the devotees that the ‘prasadam’ that is offered by the temple priest in the form of sandal paste, has miraculous powers. 

The holy water being lifted using the traditional surviving picot from the well located in Guttu house here has been a unique practice followed since many centuries.  The holy water thus drawn is distributed among the devotees in its purest form without use of any vessels.

The ancient Sri Kshetra Kodamanittaya lies near the boundary earmarked for land acquisition by Mangalore Special Economic Zone and the locals are committed to preserving the temple. 

The temple administration announced that the ‘Brahmakalashotsav’ and installation ceremony of the temple deity will be held at the renovated Sri Kshetra Kodamanittaya in May 2010.