Thousands of people from different parts of the State are expected to make a beeline to Suttur Srikshetra on the banks of the Kapila in Mysuru district from February 1 to 6 to celebrate the annual Suttur Jatra that will feature a variety of spiritual, educational, sports and cultural activities.
Situated about 30 kms from Mysuru, Suttur Jatra attracts not only devotees from all walks of life. They participate in a variety of events including indigenous games, boating, rangoli, kite flying and wrestling competitions. A mass marriage, agricultural fair and exhibition, cultural fair and bhajan mela are also organised.
The annual Jatra is organised in commemoration of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Swami, who founded the Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Mutt at Suttur Srikshethra ten centuries ago.
Mass marriage
At a press conference here on Tuesday, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Secretary S.P. Manjunath said the Rathothsava will be held on February 3 while the Theppotsava will be held on February 5. As part of the jatra, the mass marriage will be organised on February 2 where in couples of different faiths will tie the knot. The marriage of inter-caste couples and handicapped persons will also be held as part of the programme, the organisers said, and added that each bride would be given a mangalya, a saree and a pair of footrings, while each groom would be given a shirt, a lungi and a shalya.
So far, more than 2,750 couples had entered wedlock during the mass marriage programmes which are an annual feature of the Jatra.
The exhibition, which is one of the main attractions of the jatra, will feature a display cum sale of a variety of handicrafts, handloom and other household items. More than 200 educational, medical and technical models developed by students of JSS institutions will also be on display during the exhibition.
This year’s bhajana mela has attracted more than 800 teams from different States to participate in seven categories.
Agricultural fair
The agricultural fair will help disseminate information on agriculture and animal husbandry-related issues to farmers from experts in the field. A cooking contest using different types of millets will also be organised.
An on the spot drawing contest for students of primary and high schools will also be conducted on February 3. A rangoli drawing contest, Nada Kusti, boating, kite flying, tug of war, run in slushy fields, etc will also be held.
