The renowned Sri Gavisiddheshwara Jatra at Gavi Mutt in Koppal has seen the successful conclusion of its primary religious ceremonies. However, the atmosphere remains charged with devotion as the grand annual fair and the extensive community feeding, known as Mahadasoha, will officially continue until January 18. This draws hundreds of thousands of devotees daily to the holy site.
A Timeline of Devotion and Celebration
The spiritual festivities commenced on January 1, building up to a major highlight: the grand Maha Rathotsava held on January 5. This chariot festival was followed by three consecutive days of intense religious and cultural programmes, which wrapped up on January 7. Despite the formal end of these core rituals, the influx of devotees seeking darshan, participating in the Mahadasoha, and experiencing the vibrant jatra grounds shows no sign of slowing down.
The Heart of the Fair: Volunteer-Run Mahadasoha
At the core of this massive gathering is the community kitchen, a magnificent example of selfless service. Every single day, countless devotees are served meals through this system, which is entirely managed by volunteers. From procuring provisions and cooking vast quantities of food to serving it and cleaning up afterwards, all tasks are undertaken voluntarily without any monetary donations being sought.
The menu for the devotees is both delicious and special, featuring items like mirchi, Mysore Pak, rava laddu, and groundnut holige. Adding a new flavour this year was papad, prepared and generously offered by devotees hailing from Sirigeri, Dasapur, and nearby villages in the Siruguppa taluk of Ballari district.
An Unwavering Emphasis on Cleanliness
Even with the enormous daily turnout, the fairgrounds, community kitchen, and mutt premises are noted for their remarkable cleanliness. This is a direct result of the personal emphasis placed on hygiene by Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Swamiji, the head of Gavi Mutt. The seer actively participates in cleaning activities, setting a powerful example. Inspired by his actions, devotees themselves contribute actively to maintaining cleanliness, ensuring the massive event is conducted in an orderly and tidy manner.
With the Mahadasoha continuing for several more days, it is expected that hundreds of thousands of devotees will keep visiting the Sri Gavisiddheshwara Jatra right up until its official conclusion on January 18, making it a true testament to faith and community spirit.
