Only locals to be allowed at Mailara Lingeshwara jathre this year

Vijayanagara: The annual Mailara Lingeshwara jathre and Karnikotsava in Vijayanagara districts are historical events, drawing devotees from across the state. The popularity of the annual fete means that the temple will milling with devotees, raising the hackles of the healthcare district department, which is concerned about the event, scheduled to be held between February 8 and 19, turning into a hub for the unchecked spread of Covid-19.Accordingly, the district administration has passed an order restricting the number of people who can attend the fete.
Vijayanagara deputy commissioner Aniruddha Shravan, participating in a meeting of the district administration on Friday, said only devotees native to Mailara village will be allowed to participate in the event.
In addition to devotees from across Karnataka, people from neighbouring Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra too flock to the temple to partake of the celebrations. The Karnikotsava, which is scheduled to be held on February 18 this year, in particular attracts a huge crowd each year.
Aniruddha Shravan called on Vijayanagara police to prohibit entry of outsiders to the village.
“The order restricting entry of devotees must be communicated across the state, and particularly in the neighbouring districts, which account for majority of the visitors to the event,” the DC said.
In addition to closing all points of entry to Mailara village during the jathre, police have also been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that commercial activities are not carried on during the fete. Aniruddha Shravan said that the district administration would make arrangements for all the basic amenities for both the organisers and devotees at the jathre, adding that there would be no restrictions on rituals