Fishing fest at Khandige fair

Surathkal: Traditional fishing fest was held at the Khandige Sri Dharmarasu Ullaya temple during the temple’s festival near Surathkal.

The fair, traditionally known as ‘Ermal Jappu-Khandevy Adepu’, marks the culmination of ‘Khandevu Nemotsava’ of Dharmarasu Kshethra in Chelaru.

With the beginning of fairs at Yermal temple in Udupi, the fairs season commence in the undivided DK and Udupi districts and conclude with the fair at Khandige Sri Dharmarasu temple.

Chelayaru villages Khandige’s historically renowned Sri Dharmarasu temple is located at the bridge at Pavanje along the national highway on the bank of Nandini River. The annual fair is conducted every year in the month of May during Varshabha Sankramana. On this auspicious day at 7 am in the morning, those connected with the temple conduct spiritual prayers, then go towards the bank of the river and place offerings in the water. At the same time, they flag off the fishing ceremony.

The fish is caught from 7 am in the morning till afternoon. The caught fish is taken home and shared amongst family and is considered to be an offering to their ancestors. This tradition is still being followed at most of the houses here. A few, however, look at it from a business point of view and sell the fishes that they have caught at the location itself.

The devotees here believe that once in a year consumption of the fish here is actually the prasadam of the daiva(holy spirit) here. Thus it also provides importance to the fair. Besides, the fish here are said to be tasty.