Bettadapura: ‘Deevatige Utsava’ will be held tomorrow at Sidlu Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple atop the Hill here.

The event where hundreds of people from nearby villages take out a procession with burning torches in hand is said to be very popular on Deepavali. They also sing devotional and folk songs praising the deity and explaining the history of the temple. The rituals are also a prelude to the ‘Girija Kalyana Mahotsava’ to be held on the Full Moon Day in February-2019.

About 4,000 people are expected to climb the steps of Hill to reach Temple to perform puja this evening. The ‘Utsava Moorthis’ will be carried to the Temple for the memorable Utsava tomorrow.