Chamarajanagar: This year, there will be no famous Sri Chamarajeshwara Rathotsava owing to COVID-19 and lack of willpower among local politician. This event was supposed to be held on July 23.

The Rathotsava (car festival) has not been held for the last five years due to various reasons. It is held during the Ashada Maasa every year for many decades in which people from all over the State participate in it. In 2017, a miscreant had set fire to the chariot that was stationed in front of the temple causing little damage. The devotees decided not to use the desecrated chariot. Since then, the Rathotsava has been stopped. 

Subsequently, building of the chariot started and the work has been entrusted to Bengaluru-based carpenters. This had rekindled hopes among people on the resumption of this ritual. But, the chariot is not yet ready. Coupled with it, the Corona crisis also resulted in cancellation of this year’s event.