More than 15 lakh people are expected to attend the Suttur Jatra Mahotsava at Suttur on the banks of Kapila river from Wednesday. Preparations are on in full swing and Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamy, the 24th pontiff of Suttur Mutt, is personally monitoring the preparations to make all the events a big success.
The Jatra Mahotsava is a rare event of nativity and tradition. Various folk events will be a visual treat for the devotees.
Jatra Mahotsava president H Gangadhar, convenor Prof Subbappa and agriculture scientist Mahadevappa told reporters here on Sunday that religious meets, mass marriage, cow fair, exhibition, agri fair, Bhajan contest, traditional wrestling, cricket tournament, desi sports, sound and light programme on the glory of Vijayanagar kingdom are the events planned.
Folk troupes from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra will participate along with the state teams. About 180 couples have registered for the mass wedding.
Suttur Mutt will provide food and accommodation for all who visit the Jatra. KSRTC will ply special bus services from Bangalore, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Gundlupet and other taluks. More than 500 cooks will prepare food for 1.5 lakh people a day and 5,000 volunteers from 50 villages will look after the hospitality. Bannari Amman Sugar Factory has given 100 quintals sugar and former DGP Shankar Bidari has donated 30 tonnes jaggery. Farmers in Chamarajanagar and Gundlupet donated 25,000 coconuts, rice and food grains.
Pontiffs of various mutts and political party leaders will attend. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, BSR Congress president B Sriramulu, former minister Shobha Karandlaje, KPCC vice-president and actor Ambareesh, former CMs H D Kumaraswamy, B S Yeddyurappa, and others will participate.