(NOTE: Due to Internet problems, I could not post our activities. We will continue our posts as usual)

Mark Twain

“there is only one India! it is the only country that has a monopoly of grand and imposing specialties. when another country has a remarkable thing, it cannot have it all to itself --- some other country has a duplicate. but India – that is different. its marvels are its own; the patent cannot be infringed; imitations are not possible. and think of the size of them, the majesty of them, ….”

Lakhs of devotees witnessed the Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogigala Maharathotsava organized as part of Suttur Jathra Mahotsava at Suttur Srikshetra in Nanjangud taluk on the 21st.

They celebrated the car festival (rathotsava) in religious fervor and grandeur, by pulling the old and new chariots which were accompanied by folk and cultural troupes. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji and various pontiffs graced the occasion. 

Almost all the State Politicians attended and spoke at the function. CM Sri Bommai, ex-Chief Ministers Yedyurappa, Siddaramaia, Jagdish Shettar, and several Ministers attended and spoke on occasion. Many MLAs, attended. RSS and BJP leaders also spoke at the event. The speaker of the Karnataka Assembly also attended. Mysore Raja spoke on occasion.

More than 12 lakh people are estimated to have attended. All the arrangements were planned and executed professionally. It is an event, one must attend and experience the Jathara. It is a 24-hour event every day.

A large number of devotees from across the State including from Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar districts flocked to the Suttur village, and many people visited from the USA.

Six-day Annual Suttur Jathra Mahotsava Begian on January 18 and concluded on the 23rd morning.

The six-day event is organized every year by Suttur Mutt to commemorate the birth anniversary of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Swamiji, who founded the Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Mutt at Suttur Srikshetra ten centuries ago.