Preparations for this year’s annual Suttur Jatra Mahotsava, scheduled to take place from Feb. 6 to Feb. 11 in Suttur, are in full swing, announced Jatra Mahotsava Committee Secretary S.P. Manjunath during a press conference held at the Mutt premises in Suttur, Nanjangud taluk yesterday.
Manjunath highlighted that the Jatra Mahotsava attracts a massive participation of lakhs of people from all corners of the country, serving as a platform to showcase and celebrate the rich culture, traditions and arts of the region. Anticipating an increased number of visitors this year, he emphasised that the event would be conducted under the guidance of Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji.
He further mentioned that the guests expected to attend include Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union and State Ministers, MPs, legislators and pontiffs from various Mutts. Additionally, the Suttur Mutt is organising the 30th State-Level Bhajan and ‘Ekatari’ competition, with over 750 teams participating in male, female and children categories.
For those interested in taking ‘Shiva Deeksha,’ Suttur Mutt has urged them to register their names by Feb. 7 evening at Suttur Srikshetra. A special meeting of the Alumni Association is scheduled at Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Prasada Nilaya in Suttur on Feb. 9.
The six-day Jatra Mahotsava will showcase various events, including Sri Veerabhadra Kondotsava on Feb. 6; mass marriage and Haalaravi Utsava on Feb. 7; Rathotsava on Feb. 8; Sri Mahadeshwara Kondotsava and Lakshadeepotsava on Feb. 9; the inauguration of Smt. Parvathamma and Dr. Shamanur Shivashankarappa Guest House and Teppotsava on Feb. 10 and Anna Brahmotsava on Feb. 11. Additionally, the festival will feature a range of spiritual, cultural, educational and sports events.
Rangoli and Sobaanepada competition: Rangoli and Sobaanepada competion is scheduled to take place on Feb. 6.
Exhibition: This year’s exhibition will showcase a diverse array of industrial products, including handlooms, textiles, handicrafts and household items manufactured by self-help groups and Stree Shakti Sangha, as well as products from cottage industries. Additionally, there will be educational and scientific models created by students of JSS High Schools, along with medical and technical exhibitions.
Mass Marriage: A free mass marriage event is set for Feb. 7 (Wednesday), providing couples with an opportunity to enter wedlock regardless of caste or religion.
Krishi Mela: Suttur Mutt is organising Krishi Mela with the theme ‘Hani Hanigu Bharapoora Thene’ (maximising yield for every drop of water) this year. Visitors can explore a variety of desi and exotic vegetables, monocotyledons and dicotyledons, oilseeds, more than 300 crop varieties cultivated using drip and sprinkler irrigation, commercial crops, fodder crops, agriculture equipment, and indigenous breeds of cows, sheep, goats and fowls. Additionally, a special seminar on the judicious use of water in agricultural fields is scheduled for Feb. 9.
Painting and Kite contests: A State-level painting competition for children studying between Std. 1 and Std. 10 will be held during the Mahotsava. The event will also feature a Kite Festival for the general public.
Chitrasanthe: The Mahotsava will showcase the artworks of various artists from the State and beyond. Public will also have the opportunity to have their portraits painted on the spot.
Wrestling competition: A National-level wrestling competition is scheduled for Feb. 9, featuring two ‘maarpeet’ wrestling matches. The winner will be bestowed with the title ‘Suttur Kesari,’ and the best local wrestler will be honoured with the title ‘Suttur Kumara.’
Health check-up camp: JSS Hospital will hold a free health check-up camp on all six days of the Jatra Mahotsava. Additionally, a five-day special cancer screening camp is planned between Feb. 6 and Feb. 10 to raise awareness about cancer prevention and various diseases.
Boating: Boating activities are organised by the Suttur Mutt on all days.
Desi games: Desi Games, including slush race, tug of war, ‘kunte bille,’ ‘alagulimane,’ ‘anekallu,’ chess, top, ‘chowkabaara,’ running race carrying a 50 kg bag and running race with water-filled tumbler, will be held for men (Feb. 8), women (Feb. 9) and students of JSS Primary and High Schools (between Feb. 7 and Feb. 10).
53rd Cattle Fair: The 53rd cattle fair is organised during the Jatra Mahotsava to assist farmers in purchasing good breeds of cattle. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences will conduct health check-ups for the cattle, provide free vaccination and medications. Cash prizes will be awarded to best cattle at the exhibition.
Cultural Mela and programmes: More than 3,500 students from JSS Institutions will participate in Bharatanatyam, group dance, classical music, dance based on vachanas, group songs and other 400 cultural competitions. Additionally, amateur troupes will stage plays, music concerts and dance programmes at the main temple premises. Various rural troupes will also present over 20 mythological plays.
Kapilarathi: A special arathi to River Kapila, named Kapilarathi, is organised in association with Yuva Brigade during Thepotsava on Feb. 10.
Photography competition: Suttur Mutt has arranged a photography competition in both DSLR and mobile photography categories. Entry for the competition is free, with no age restrictions. Interested individuals can contact Mob: 96866-77284 or 94486-09062.
Prasadam and lodging facilities: Suttur Mutt will provide food and lodging for devotees visiting Suttur Mutt. The mutt will utilise 1,000 quintal of rice, 180 quintal of tur dal, 1,500 litres of refined oil, 12 tonnes of jaggery, 4,000 kgs of chilli powder, 250 quintal of sugar, 500 kgs of Nandini ghee, 800 kgs of raisins and cashew nuts, 8,000 litres of milk, 28,000 litres curds, 25,000 coconuts and 500 kgs of pickle to prepare various delicacies including jaggery rice, upma, kesaribath, kharabath, sweet pongal, khara pongal, lemon rice, kheer, sweet boondi, sambar, rice, buttermilk, wheat kheer, Mysore Pak and besibele bath.
Transport facility: KSRTC and private transport companies will provide special bus services from various district and taluk headquarters for devotees to visit Suttur. Temporary lodging will be provided to devotees arriving from faraway places.
Prabhath Peri: Every day, ‘Prabhath Peri,’ a procession promoting friendship, peace and harmony, will be held in the surrounding villages of Suttur, followed by flag hoisting by the pontiffs and a spiritual discourse will also be held.
Live broadcast of Suttur Jathra Mahotsava will be available on
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