Shivamogga: Kote Marikamba Jatre from February 24

Join the Kote Marikamba Jatre in Shivamogga from February 24, celebrating unity and tradition over five festive days.

The five-day Kote Marikamba Jatre, held once in two years in Shivamogga, will begin on February 24. The Kote Marikamba Seva Samiti, the committee that organises the festival, has begun the preparations for the event.

The preparations began with communicating the dates of the event to the public through the traditional form. A group of persons beating hand drums filled the area Kote Marikamba Temple, informing residents about the event.

Samithi president S.K. Mariyappa, in a press conference on February 17, said that the festival has been associated with the history of Shivamogga. Since the period of the Keladi rulers, the festival has been celebrated. The event stands as the symbol of unity, with persons from every caste playing a prominent role in the festival. The organisers are expecting thousands of people to participate in the event.

The event will begin early in the morning of February 24 by inviting residents of B.B. Street to offer prayers at the temple. The festival will conclude on the evening of February 28. The committee will also hold a wrestling competition to mark the occasion at Nehru Stadium from March 6 to 8, he stated.

Committee secretary N. Manjunath and other members were present at the press conference.