Adi Kruthike Jatra Mahotsava concludes in Shivamogga

Devotees participating in the Adi Kruthike Jatra Mahotsava of Guddekal Basubrahmanya Swamy Temple in Shivamogga on Friday. | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh The two-day Adi Kruthike Jatra Mahotsava, an annual fair held on the premises of the Guddekal Balasubrahmanya Temple here, concluded on Friday. Hundreds of people from Shivamogga and neighbouring towns and villages participated in the festival. As part of the two-day festival that concluded on Friday, devotees pierced their cheeks with long spears to fulfil their vows. | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh Devotees participating in the Adi-Kruthike Jatra Mahotsava of Guddekal Basubrahmanya Swamy Temple in Shivamogga on Friday. | Photo Credit: PTI Several devotees participated in the festival carrying a kavadi, a wooden pole balanced on the shoulders, and had pierced their cheeks with spears (vela) as part of a custom to fulfil their vows. A few of them carried spears that were several feet long. They walked long distances along the roads, carrying spears or wooden poles, to reach the temple from their native places.The movement of vehicles on the road connecting Holehonnur and Shivamogga was disrupted owing to the festival. Several schools located on Shivamogga-Channagiri Road declared a holiday for the day to avoid inconvenience to students. Published - August 07, 2026 08:19 pm IST