Mysuru: On the occasion of Varamahalakshmi Festival on Aug. 8, the traditional ‘Matti Puja’ was performed at Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Garadi Sangha, Sahukar Channaiah Kusti Akhada at Doddakere Maidan in city.

Continuing with the past traditions, the matti (red mud) was brought in a procession from the foot of Chamundi Hill to Doddakere Maidan, in three makaris (bamboo baskets), after performing puja rituals, in the accompaniment of Nadaswara troupe.

Matti was decorated with flowers and offered Mahamangalarati, followed by the distribution                    of prasada.

The pailwans (wrestlers) undergoing training at the Akhada, themselves brought the matti in the procession, that marked the highlight of the day.

“As the wrestlers regularly practice at the Akhada (wrestling arena), the thickness of the matti of the Akhada wears off, over a period of time. To keep the matti intact, it has been a tradition in practice to collect the matti on Varamahalakshmi Festival and perform Matti Puja, Amba Puja and Muttaide Puja, before mixing the newly brought matti with the old matti,” said Yajaman Pailwan S. Mahadev, Hon. President of Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Garadi Sangha.

Pure red mud is available at the foot of Chamundi Hill, which is considered very much  suitable to prepare the akhada. The new mud is brought every year ahead of Dasara, added  Pailwan Mahadev.

Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Garadi Sangha’s P. Nagendra, General Secretary Pailwan M. Suputra, Treasurer M. Praveen Kumar, coaches senior Pailwan Sreenivas Gowda, Pailwans Devaraj,  Nagaraj, Satish and Ravikumar were present.