It was a sea of devotees at the car festival held on the opening day of the three-day annual Sri Gavisiddeshwar jatra, one of the biggest fair in north Karnataka, organised by Gavimutt in Koppal on Tuesday.
The devotees, not only from Koppal and other districts of the State but also from neighbouring States, congregate to witness the religious event. The flow of devotees in large numbers will continue for the next fortnight.
A minute silence was observed to condole the death of Shivakumara Swami of Siddaganga Mutt, who passed away on Monday, before the commencement of the ritual.
Gavi Mutt, which has a history of over 1,000 years, became popular during the regime of Gavisiddeshwar Swami, the 11th peetadhipati, through his miracles and also for his concern towards humanity.
Mathew Fountier, a Canadian, and his wife Agatha, were among the special invitees for the annual fair. The couple, both musicians residing in Kalakeri in Dharwad district, have been doing social service since 2003 by establishing a music school and imparting training to students. They have also been imparting education in Kannada medium by setting up a school.
As part of the jatra, seer of Gavimutt Abhinav Gavisiddeshwar Swami will be organising events creating awareness among the public on various issues. This year, the focus is on the importance of eye donation with the event titled ‘Kripa drishti’. A couple of days earlier, a mega jatha was taken out in the main streets of the town in which students and others had participated.
Another speciality of the annual fair is that devotees will be voluntarily donating groceries, heaps of jowar rotis, and sweets, among other things, to be used for the mass feeding being during the jatra celebrations.
