Biggest 'Jaatra' fair of coastal Karnataka 'Sodigadde Jaatra' begins in Bhatkal

Bhatkal 24 January 2019: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Sodigadde Jaatra, one of the biggest Jaatra (Fair) of coastal district, began its 9-day celebration here on Wednesday, January 23. Bhatkal Tahsildar VN Bhadkar inaugurated the Jaatra event by offering a special Pooja. Thousands of other devotees also queued up near the temple and waited for their turn to offer special prayers to the deity. Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik also offered his prayer to mark the occasion. Speaking with the Media Tahsildhar VN Bhadkar said, “This Jaatra is not only limited to Bhatkal Taluka, it is the celebration of coastal and Malenadu districts. Many people come here to offer their prayers.” One of the most significant aspect of the this fair is that, the devotees offer dolls to god to put forth the wishes for  fulfilling their desires. They offer dolls in the form of Mahasati, Jattigaraya, Marada Huliraya, Nagarakallu and others for fulfilling their vows. This time the organizers of Jaatra have arranged food in the noon for all the devotees attending the fair for the next 8 days. Hundreds of stalls selling sweets, toys, clothes, ornaments and other products were installed around the temple area to attract the devotees and peoples of communities. Officials of Taluka Panchayath and Gram Panchayath also offered prayers along with other people to the deity here. (Bhatkallys News Bureau)