Kundapur; Nov 18: In one of the seven holy places in Karnataka coastal region Koteshwara has celebrated”Kodi Habba” on Nov 17, Sunday with great pomp and excitement.
”Kodi Habba” is nothing but Koteshwar’s Aadhideva Shree Kotilingeshwara’s annual car festival.(Brahmarathotsava).Before the chariot was to start ‘torch-salaam’( a special ceremony-Deevatige salaam) was held. The number of devotees thronged into temple to take darshan of God.
In ‘Manmaharotsava’festival celebration, which was conducted on Nov 17, Sunday early morning, thousands of devotees participated and dedicated their devotion. It is the belief of the people that if we offer “Suttakki” to Koti Theertha (a temple tank) admeasuring 5 acres of land, all the wishes of the people will be fulfilled.
On that day at 3 o’clock in the morning, devotees from the natives and other places, who offered a benediction, take bath in the Koti Theertha (temple’s tank),the home -grown rice in the name of ‘Suttakki’,the custom of spreading the rice on the cloth spread around the Koti theertha (temples tank) was performed.
Sugar cane business was in brisk. During the time of festival attractive beating of Chende (drum) added flavor to the festival.
Thousands of people participated in the car festival celebration in the night.All the devotees who came to temple for God’s darshan were served Panaka seve (Lime juice) on behalf of temple and free butter milk was served on behalf of Hindu Jagarana vedhike, Koteshwara unit.
M.Prabhakara Shetty, president, temple’s organizing samit and members, temples trustee Ganesh Rao, natives of different organizations extended their co-operation. Police have provided special security. Traffic police have controlled the traffic beautifully.
