Mysore/Mysuru: Dodda Matti Puja (Amba Puja), is a significant ritual performed at Garadi Manes (traditional wrestling houses), every year ahead of Nada Habba Mysuru Dasara in and around the district. The ritual involves the worship of red soil (matti) which is spread on the wrestling arena, signalling the beginning of preparations for Dasara wrestling tournament, which still remains a major attraction among the wrestling buffs.
The matti, a special red soil, is considered as sacred and is brought to the Garadi Mane once a year, on Varamahalakshmi festival day, in a procession. The soil is spread on the wrestling arena (akhada) and decorated with flowers and worshipped, before concluding the puja with a Mahamangalarati, invoking the blessings of the Goddess for the wrestlers.
