By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore

The Kannada word Jathre (Jathra) is derived from the Sanskrit word Yatra and it is generally associated with a God, Goddess or a Saint or Jagadguru of a Mutt. In our country, Jathres are held at important Holy places like Tirupati, Udupi, Pandharapura, Melukote, Panchalinga Darshana, Kumbha Mela at Prayaga, Mahamasthakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola, Jathres at Srishaila, Mudukuthore, Chunchanakatte, Nanjanagud, Srirangapatna and Chamundi Hill in our own city. Jathres are generally referred to by the places at which they are held and Suttur Jathre is a good example for this.

Though Jathres are associated with religious themes, they are extremely useful in understanding the people who come from different places. As a large number of people assemble at Jathres, good business takes place and that is the reason why merchants bring their goods or animals like cow, bull, buffalo and sell them at high prices and make money which would not have been possible at their home towns. Usually people who attend Jathres bring home some vessels or something else as a memento. This has become a habit and neighbours and friends expect a gift from the person who went to a Jathre. In modern parlance, it is a religious, social, economic and cultural get-together and this is the uniqueness of Jathres.

These Jathres are not confined to our own State or our own country, but they are arranged worldwide. The Jathres that are held in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Egypt etc. These are mentioned in the writings of various travellers who went there to see the glory of the Jathres. In Demasthenese in Greeece, the religious Jathre is held six months in a year. Travellers have described in glorious terms these celebrations. Ancient Jathres have been described by contemporary travellers who visited Rome, Germany, France, Italy, etc. It is generally believed that earliest Jathre was held at a place called Ferara in Italy. Thus Jathre has a great antiquity not only in our country but in the entire world.

Under this background we may also study the Suttur Jathre being held from 13th to 18th of this month at Suttur Srikshetra. It is held under the guidance of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji. Religious-minded and culture-oriented persons of Karnataka should be ever grateful to this illustrious Jagadguru for encouraging this tradition of Suttur Jathre in a befitting manner for six days.

Suttur is not an ordinary place. It is a Kshetra which became holy when the horse stopped at a place indicating that it was a holy and ideal place chosen by Siva himself for a great Mutt to come up, which would spread knowledge, feed thousands of people immaterial of caste and creed. The present Seer has opened many colleges and it has now culminated into a great University (JSS University).

Suttur Jathre is a pretext for doing social and cultural service to people from all walks of life. The Jathre is held in memory of Adijagadguru Sri  Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji. It has many dimensions and thus it attracts thousands of people interested in varied aspects. Cattle Jathre is one of them, the 50th in the series. Arrangements have been made for camping of these cattle including medical facilities.

Another interesting aspect is the exhibition which is arranged by agricultural, scientific and health departments which include weavers and women development organisations. In the evening cultural programmes are arranged for relaxation.

Quiz is another attraction during this Jathre. The subject of the quiz is Darshanikara Darshana (understanding the philosophy or culture) which is open to the public also.  Kite flying festival is an ancient game of our country and the organisers have arranged a kite flying competition at various levels.

Another aspect that has been arranged is connected to Siridhanya which is becoming quite popular nowadays. There will be an exhibition as well as sale of these commodities. Thus local farmers, government departments take part. A splendid aspect indeed.

In present times, our ancient games and sports have been forgotten with the impact of the west. A competition for men and women has been arranged in Hagga-Jaggata, Alagulimane etc.; chorus singing (bhajane) at the National-level has been arranged and those who participate in all these are paid travelling expenses, provided free accommodation and prasada.

Another unique feature is the mass marriages in which the bride gets saree, mangalya (tali), toe-ring while the bridegroom gets panche (dhoti), valli, shirt etc. This is immaterial of castes and they will all be provided with accommodation and prasada including their relatives also. Many poor people are unable to perform marriages and hence this is a great boon for them, very thoughtfully arranged by the Mahaswamiji.

Rangoli is slowly going out of fashion and to revive this , the Swamiji is arranging competition in this art also and in sobane songs. The Seer has not forgotten the children. For them, a painting competition has been arranged. They can paint the scientists of our country.  Another competition is painting on the spot and selling them, which is generally known as Chitrasanthe and this is becoming a popular art in cities. The Swamiji has provided an opportunity for this and our country had a tradition of Rabindranath, Abanindranath etc., of Shantiniketan fame. In our own city we have CAVA which has been doing great service to this art. We may recall our Ajanta and Ellora which were famous.

Thus Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji has created a renaissance in cultural matters for which all of us should be grateful to him. Let us bow down to Sri Swamiji and seek his blessings on this august Jathra Mahotsava.