Mysuru: Lakhs of devotees gathered to witness the grand Gautama Pancha Maharathotsava, which was a part of the annual ‘Dodda Jathre’ at the Srikanteshwara temple in Nanjangud, on Monday.Rituals commenced at midnight under the guidance of chief priest J Nagachandra Dikshit. During the auspicious timing of Meena Lagna between 5.50 am and 6.30 am, the idol of Lord Srikanteshwara was ceremoniously installed on the Srimanmahu Gautama chariot.Nanjangud MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayana formally initiated the chariot procession by performing puja and breaking coconuts near the wheels. Devotees, who were eagerly waiting for the moment, enthusiastically pulled the chariot while groups of youths danced to the rhythmic beats of traditional drums, creating a vibrant atmosphere.Thousands of devotees lined on both sides of the chariot street and gathered atop buildings to catch a glimpse of the beautifully decorated Gautama chariot carrying the idol of Lord Srikanteshwara. The chariot, adorned with colourful fabrics and elaborate floral decorations spelling ‘Nanjundeshwara Rathotsava,’ drew widespread admiration. The procession followed a traditional sequence, beginning with the Ganapathi chariot, followed by Gautama chariot carrying Lord Srikanteshwara, then the Subrahmanyeshwara and Chandikeshwara chariots, and finally the chariot of Goddess Parvati.The Gautama chariot completed its circuit and returned to its original position within an hour and a half, followed by the Parvati chariot. The entire five-chariot procession captivated devotees for nearly four hours. The Pancha Maha Rathotsava was the main highlight of the festival, featuring a majestic chariot standing nearly 90 feet tall and weighing around 205 tons. The massive chariot was beautifully decorated with vibrant fabrics and fresh flowers for the grand procession.Darshan Dhruvanarayan said, “The preparation for this big event started two months ago. Every year, the number of devotees is increasing. Keeping this in mind, we ensure to take more precautions to handle the crowd.”Authorities took extensive safety measures. Heavy earth machines, emergency vehicles, fire engines, a crane and a hydraulic wire vehicle accompanied the chariots throughout the procession. Electricity supply was temporarily disconnected in nearby areas to ensure safety during the movement of the towering chariots. The entire festival was monitored using drone cameras to prevent any untoward incidents.Several service organisations and donors arranged food and refreshments for the devotees, distributing breakfast, fruits, drinking water, ice cream, buttermilk and juice along the main streets.
