Nanjangud: The Temple Town of Nanjangud on the banks of River Kapila came alive with chants in praise of Lord Srikanteshwara by lakhs of devotees as the famous Dodda Jatre or the Panchamaharathotsava was held with traditional gaiety and fervour this morning. However, probably for the first time in the history of the famed event, the pulling of the main Gowthama Ratha was delayed for more than two hours as the ropes tied to the chariot snapped. The incident led to disappointment among devotees and they blamed officials for the lapse.
It may be recalled here that in 2015, the same chariot, weighing more than 120 tonnes and towering 95-ft, had veered off the road and got stuck in a ditch, spoiling the festive spirit. Every year, the temple town celebrates the car festival in March-April with as many as five chariots being pulled by lakhs of devotees around the temple.
