A sea of devotees throng Guru Tipperudra Swamy chariot festival in Chitradurga

THERE was no limit to the joy of people on the occasion of Jatra Mahotsav of Sri Guru Tipperudra Swamy on Sunday.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Chitradurga

Lakhs of people from Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, cutting across community lines, assembled at the tiny town for the celebration.

When 'Chittha' star ascended, people, braving the scorching sun and heat, pulled the 70-foot high gigantic chariot having five wheels and weighing 70 tonnes. Rolling of the chariot began at 4.05 pm from the precincts of the temple to Padagatte which is some half km far from the Car Street and returned by 6 pm.

Lakhs of people thronged the temple town and were busy pulling the mega chariot. The chariot festival is held every year in the Palguna masa. The Utsav Murthy (metallic procession idol), which was brought from the temple with religious fervour, was mounted in the chariot and first puja was conducted on behalf of the people of the district by Deputy Commissioner T Venkatesh.