Mangaluru, May 16: The fishing festival which is being held during the fair of Shree Dharmarasu Ullaya temple near Suratkal on the banks of river Nandini witnessed the participation a large crowd on Wednesday, May 15th.
The temple fairs across Tulunadu begins after the fair begins in Yermalu Temple in Udupi district and culminates when the fairs and religious rituals known as “Nema” ends in Khandige Shree Dahrmarasu Shrine.
The historical temple of Khandige Shree Dahrmarasu in Chelayaru Village is situated on the banks of river Nandini close to the bridge on the national highway in Pavanje. Every year, on the auspicious day of “Vrishabha Sankramana” falling in the month of May, the yearly fair of the temple will be held. As part of the fair, fishing in this river is a practice followed since ages. Fishing is banned here from Mesha Sankramana to Vrishabha Sankramana. But there are examples that in the past, those who had attempted fishing here during the banned month, have found venomous serpents in their fishing nets.
At around 7am on the auspicious day of Vrishabha Sankramana, the concerned who are related to the temple offer prayers to the presiding deity. Following this they arrive at the banks of river Nandini and drop holy prasadam into it. Meanwhile, fireworks will be burst. Immediately the crowd at the spot will plunge into the river and indulge in fishing.
The speciality of the fair is that, enthusiastic people from about 50-60 kilometres arrive to participate in the temple’s fishing fair. A practice followed since ages are that the fishes caught here will be taken home, cooked and offered to their ancestors. But some with business intention sell the fishes at the venue. The fair holds significance as people believe that fish meals prepared once in a year from the fishes caught at the venue is the prasadam of presiding deity.
Nemothsava will be held here during night, post which the flag will be brought down. With this, most of the fairs and nemothsava held across Tulunadu culminates.
