Sunday, March 23, 2014
Sea of humanity at car festival -- Friday, Mar 13, 2009
Devotees throw bananas at the chariot
SKYSCRAPER ON WHEELS: The Tipperudraswamy jatra at Nayakanahatti in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district on Friday.
The main attraction of the jatra was the 75-foot tall and 20-foot wide chariot. Though the eight-day-long jatra began on March 5, but the rathotsava is considered the most significant part of the jatra.
A sea of humanity had come to participate in the ancient festival from various parts of the district and from neighbouring districts.
The devotees with all the enthusiasm were pulling the heavy chariot tide with the specially prepared thick rope. Just before the start of the car festival, hordes of people arrived to witness the historic ritual. Many were seen struggling even to touch the rope.
Devotees who could not find a place near the chariot were perched atop the trees and rooftops of buildings and on the vehicles on the route.
A large number of people threw bananas at the chariot, a unique ritual followed in this fair. The temple authorities said that it was believed that Lord Tippeswamy fulfilled the wishes of devotees who threw bananas at the chariot. The other popular ritual was the burning of dry coconut.
The police had taken steps to prevent animal sacrifice.
In the jatra, Shashi Shekhar Nayak, a businessman, reportedly won the bid for the sacred flag for Rs. 26 lakh in the auction. The flag which is hoisted on the top most part of the chariot is auctioned every year. The flag fetched Rs. 2.5 lakh last year.
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