The annual Suttur Jatra Mahotsava began at Suttur Kshetra, about 20 km from the city, on Friday. It was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the presence of the present seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami and other religious pontiffs.
An annual event, which draws hundreds of thousands of people from Mysuru and surrounding region, the jatra is spread over six days, and will feature agriculture exhibition, cattle fair, religious discourses, mass marriage, and traditional games.
Mr. Siddaramaiah extolled the contribution of Suttur Mutt in the field of education, medical and healthcare, besides promoting social harmony through religious activities. The jatra brings people from different strata of society and enlightens them on the message propagated by the Sharana saints and thinkers of the State, he said.
Mr. Siddaramaiah also laid the foundation stone for the Sri Kapila Nanjunda Deshikendra Gurukula Sadhakara Sadana and a central warehouse on the occasion. A krishi mela was held with focus on promoting new agricultural practices and techniques, and six progressive farmers were felicitated for increasing yield and cultivating various types of crops. The quaint town located on the banks of Kapila in Nanjangud taluk came alive with a slew of programmes, including the inauguration of a State-level Bhajan mela, boating and rangoli contest on Friday.
A mass marriage will be organised on Saturday, besides the inauguration of traditional games. A religious meet with pontiffs from different mutts will be held on Sunday at 11 a.m. and it will be preceded by the rathotsava at 10.30 a.m. Art exposition, chitra santhe and kite competition is also slated for Sunday while the 48th cattle fair will be inaugurated the same evening.
A comprehensive education camp on agriculture will be inaugurated by the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Monday while a State-level wrestling contest will be inaugurated on Tuesday. Cultural programmes will feature bhajans, folk songs, vachana gayana, dance drama feature, music, staging of drama, and classical dance on all days.
