Mysuru: Thousands of devotees from across the city and State took part in the Siddalingapura Jatre being held as part of Subramanya Shashti at the famous Sri Subramanyeshwara Swamy Temple in Siddalingapura on the outskirts of the city on Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway today.

Subramanaya Shashti is an important festival dedicated to Lord Subramanya. The rituals began at 3 am, even as thousands of devotees, braving the morning chill had lined up before the temple at 2 am.

Many devotees were seen offering milk on the big anthill inside the temple and other anthills in the surroundings of the temple.

It is believed that offering milk on this day relieves the person from any ‘Sarpa Dosha’.

With the temple coming under  Muzrai Department, the authorities had made arrangements for ‘Special Darshan’ by charging a fee of Rs.20 per head.

A grand Rathotsava marked the festival. The ‘Ratha’ carrying the deity, went to the Shiva Temple nearby and returned to Sri Subramanyeshwara Temple, as thousands of devotees offered special prayers all along the route of the ‘Ratha.’ Puja and rituals will continue till 11 pm.

Cty Police had made elaborate security arrangements and also restricted vehicular movement on the ever-busy Highway from midnight of Nov. 24.