Dharawad: There is no shortage of devotees in the Commercial City as well as for public functions and rathotsavas. If Shivaratri arrives in Hubballi, the people of Hubballi – Dharawad City are happy. Since ancient times, the fair of Sri Siddaroodha Ajjana has been held with great pomp and show. Devotees have poured in as an ocean from every nook and corner of the State. The chariot of Siddaroodha was pulled in a grand manner by throwing fruits and uthatti into the chariot for ‘Ishtartha Siddhi’.
The Siddaroodha Swamy Matha Trust Committee, Hubballi, celebrated the Shivaratri Mahotsava on Saturday February 18 amidst cheers from lakhs of devotees.
As soon as the chariot of Siddaroodha passed through the main street of the temple, the devotees threw Uthatti, bananas and lemons and offered devotion.
The crowd gathered on either side of the road and watched the procession. A group of youngsters accompanied by various orchestras including dollu, banjo and others added to the festivities of the fair by dancing.
As Theru moved forward, it seemed as if the bhaktiloka was satisfied.
At 5.30 pm on an auspicious muhurat, the idols of Bhookailasa and Sri Siddharoodha and Gurunatharoodha in Hubballi were placed in a decorated chariot.
People of all races, cutting across the shackles of caste and religion, participated in the rathotsava.
Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the State came to the fair not only in tempos, tractors, two-wheelers, cars, but also through padaytra.
On the occasion of Shivaratri, the matha, was adorned with lamps.
Lakhs of devotees from various parts of the State and across the xountry including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Hubballi – Dharawad, Bagalakote, Vijayapura, Davanagere, Kalaburagi, Haveri, Gadag, Belagavi and other parts of the State participated in the rathotsava.
As part of the Maha Rathotsava, a 70-feet-high chariot was decorated. The theru started from the premises of the matha and reached up to the entrance and returned to the matha. Arrangements were made for the devotees coming to the fair to park their vehicles near Srinivasnagara Park, adjacent to Ambedkar Kridangana, Anandanagara Road. Free meals and refreshments were also arranged for the devotees coming to Siddharoodha Matha, one of the jatra mahotsavas in North Karnataka.
