Devotees flock to Jyotiba temple for Chaitra Yatra celebration in Kolhapur

Kolahpur: Chaitra Yatra was celebrated with much grandeur at Jyotiba temple in Wadi-Ratnagiri hill on Saturday. The temple also called ‘Dakshin Kashi' hosted over 5lakh devotees from across Maharashtra and neighbouring states of Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Celebrations included thowing gulal, smashing coconut and participating in processions. This year marked a drop in the number of women devotees.
Guardian minister Prakash Abitkar, minister Shamburaj Desai from Satara, MLC Satej Patil, Kolhapur collector Amol Yedge, ZP CEO S Karthikeyan, SP Mahendra Pandit and PMDS Secretary Shivraj Naikwade worshipped the ‘Pratham Manachi' Sasan-Kathi of Ninam Padali village from Satara district. Then began the Sasan-Kathi procession.
Abitkar said: "Jyotiba temple is famous across the nation as ‘Dakshin Kashi'. A Jyotiba Hill Development Authority has been planned by state govt. The development will be carried out taking local villagers and everyone into consideration."
At 4pm the palanquin ceremony of Lord Jyotiba began with a cannon salute. Large number of people participated in the procession that culminated with a marriage ceremony of goddess Yamai and Jamadagni Rishi.
Over 150 MSRTC buses were provided to ply between Central Bus Stand-Panchaganga Ghat to Jyotiba hill. NGOs and social groups assisted the district administration in managing the rush of devotees, with heavy police deployment. Free ‘Mahaprasad' was offered at Gaimukh area and at Panchaganga Ghat for devotees, and distributed among around 4 lakh devotees took. Free sarbat, free vehicle repair and free water facilities were also provided by several organisations en route to the Jyotiba hill.