Bhatkal: Bhatkal witnessed the grand celebration of the historic Channapatna Shri Hanumantha Rath Utsav on Wednesday, marking the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. Thousands of devotees from various parts of the taluk gathered to participate in this joyous event.

The festivities commenced before sunrise, with devotees queuing up in front of the temple at 3 pm to offer their prayers. Under the guidance of Ramananda Avabhrit, the esteemed head priest, a special pooja was conducted, honoring Shri Hanuman with traditional rituals.

Following age-old customs, the temple management committee, led by President Sridhar Moger, visited the home of the "Chirkin" family at approximately 3:30 pm, extending a heartfelt invitation to join the chariot festival. Ansari Shabandri, the elder of the Chirkin family, graciously welcomed the devotees on Sultan Street, embodying the spiritual significance of the occasion.

In a beautiful display of spirituality, Ansari joyfully recited the Hanuman Chalisa upon receiving the Rath Utsav invitation. Nagesh Pai, representing the temple management, elucidated the rich history of the Channapatna Sri Hanuman Rathotsav and the time-honored tradition of inviting the Chirkin family before the Rathotsav. Notable personalities such as Digambara Shet, Surendra Bhatkal, Venkatesh Devadiga, Shivram Naik, Vaman Shet, and others graced the event with their presence.

The highlight of the evening was the commencement of the chariot pulling ceremony at 5:20 pm, accompanied by vibrant music and enthusiastic dances from thousands of young participants. The chariot, adorned with floral decorations, traversed through the flower market, the main road, and Marikatta before making its way to Car Street and finally arriving at the Hanuman temple compound.

Despite the narrowness of the roads, a multitude of spectators climbed atop nearby buildings to catch a glimpse of the Rathotsava procession.

Women of all ages, along with children, actively participated in the festivities, adding to the charm of the event. The presence of sweet and toy shops further enhanced the festive atmosphere. A significant number of Muslim religious leaders and members of the public lined both sides of the road, showing their respect and interest in the festival.

Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister Mankal Vaidya also attended the event with his supporters. Tight police arrangements were made under the guidance of District Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhan and Bhatkal DySP Mahesh.