Shivamogga prepares for Marikamba festival

The streets leading to the Kote Marikamba Temple in Shivamogga city have been illuminated to welcome the devotees for the five-day Marikamba Jatre, beginning on Tuesday. The festival, held once every two years, attracts thousands of devotees from different places.

The temple has been decorated with fruits and roses. Nearly 10,000 roses have been used to decorate the temple. The festivities began early morning on Tuesday at Gandhi Bazar. A statue of Maha Kali has been placed at the entrance of Gandhi Bazar.

S.K. Mariyappa, president of the Kote Marikamba Seva Samiti, on Monday, told the media persons that the preparations for the event had been completed with the help of the City Corporation, police and other departments. The committee had taken utmost care to ensure that the devotees visiting the temple have darshana of the deity peacefully.

N. Manjunath, secretary of the committee, said that they had made arrangements for the parking of vehicles in consultation with the police. The residents of the locality around the temple would face difficulty taking out their vehicles during the festival, he added.