Kateelu: Great Splendour and piles of devotion marked the week-long Chariot festival an annual event at the historic Kateelu Durgaparameshwari Temple on the outskirts of Mangalore, attended by thousands of devotees amidst thunderous rainfalls during the week all over the DK dt.. A night event of drawing the tall chariot was witnessed by a sea of children of goddess raising their folded hands to the mother with much devotion and prayers.
The Goddess traveled to Yekkaru from Kateelu on Thursday to meet Shibarooru Kodamanithaya Daiva and return late at night as per traditions. The Daiva and the Goddess have a Rathayatra together at Kateelu.
The deity has a bath in Nandini River flowing near by, at Ajarukatte. The devotees hold local torches( Sute dara) made of dry leaves and throw them at each other as per divine service permitted by custom. At dawn the Kodamanithaya Daiva has Baliseva inside the Temple premises. Here the curtain comes down, by bringing the Flag of the festival down.
On Thursday, a concert performance in music was arranged from renowned singer K.J Yesudas. Thousands of people participated in the car festival during the day on Wednesday, and received blessings of the reigning deity Parameshwari.
People from 4 villages around Kateelu, Attur, Kodethur, Yekkaru and Shibarooru participated in all proceedings during the week-long celebrations of Kateelu Sri Durgaparameshwari Devi annual festival, amidst pomp and pleasure.