Makara Sankranti was celebrated yesterday which marked the shift of the Sun into ever-lengthening days. At Siddalingapura, the festival was celebrated through the age-old tradition of ‘kichchuhaisuvudu’ (jumping over the fire) carried out near Eshwara Temple on the Highway.

As part of the ritual, caparisoned cattle and sheep are made to jump over the fire set to hay stacks. This is done as people believe the heat of fire will kill all the germs on their body. The belief is also that it will prevent the animals from falling prey to foot and mouth disease. ‘Kichchuhaisuvudu’ was also carried out in Mysore Palace.

[Pics. by M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav]