Here, in Shivamogga, the community people were offering worship and prayers to Devi, every day, seeking that those who had gone to the hillock were not troubled in any way. The Shetty Heads jointly took the Ganga, chose a new couple, who were designated to carry the Ganga from Thunga River in their palms and they should come to the Temple. Starting from that time, till the completion of worship of the burning charcoal, they had to observe fast. The couple was told by the priest that they should consume only milk and fruits and sleep in the temple. They said that they would strictly abide by the words of elderly.

Once the people learnt that those carrying Ganga were close to the border, a fountain of happiness sprang in the houses there. Immediately, all the people, including young children, assembled near the place where Kote Sri Anjaneyaswamy temple is located now. Exactly at 4 pm on Monday, when the boys came near Kote Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple, a shower of flowers was poured on the boys. All the faces wore delight and happiness, spirit and enthusiasm. From there, in between the enthusiastic crowd, they reached the banks of Thunga River. The Shetty Yajamans who had already reached there, got the Puja performed by Brahmins and sat on a new loin cloth. A few began placing the procession deity on horizontal bars, tied and decorated it. The urns containing Ganga water were decorated with flower in the shape of Kalash. The new couple took bath, wore new clothes and sat in front of Ganga. Brahmins tied to their arms the holy Kankana and got the procession deity worshipped by the new couple. After that, the Gana Kootas (Clusters of Spiritual Demi-Gods) were offered beetle leaves, areca nut, plantains, 101 Vada’s through Dasayyas of the Samaj, offered Naivedya, shouted victory slogans with Govinda and Govinda chant, offered worship and distributed the Prasada to all those who had assembled there. Subsequently, an unmarried boy was made to carry the urn containing Ganga water brought from Kallattagiri on the head; of the new couples, who had tied the Kankana to their hands, the husband was asked to carry the Kalash for which Ganga Puja had offered on his head and his female partner (wife) was asked to carry the other Kalash on her head and all of them were asked walk up to the temple amidst the sound of musical instruments and drums.

On this side, the Temple was glittering with electric lights and it provided a feast to the eyes of onlookers. The surroundings of the temple were brimming with people of the Samaj, including the young, the old and the children. The Ganga that had been brought was taken round the temple thrice and then brought into the temple. The Yajaman present there took the Ganga from the head of the bearers down, made them sit near the deity, got Mahamangalarati performed by the priest and then distributed the Prasada. Later, before the devotees were about to return to their respective houses, the Shetty Yajaman announced in a loud voice to all of them that whoever wanted to offer the Kendada Archane (worship of burning charcoal), should assemble near the Sri Seetha Rama Temple in Durgigudi, which Sri Kam Muniyappa had constructed, at about 8.00 am and they should all bring with each of them Aarati.

In the night of next day, Gana Homa and Rudra Homa were performed under the auspices of Ayya from the new couple, who were observing fast. After that, he also performed the anointment of Sri Devi with Panchamrita (Cow milk, Curds, ghee, sugar and plantain). Subsequently, worship was offered through them and Mangalarati was also performed. Amidst the sound of holy instruments, Samaj president Kam. M. Muniyappa lighted the firewood of Sapta Vrukshas (Seven Trees), while the people there poured ghee to the holy fire in torrents. The fire grew strong and the flames appeared as though they would touch the sky.

Meanwhile, near the Sri Seetharama Kalyana Mantap, which is close to the house of Kam Muniyappa, all the people, along with their friends and relatives, had assembled in large number. They were clad in new, colorful clothes and dresses. They had brought Arathi with them to be offered to the Goddess. That charming scene pervaded the minds of people with a sense of peace, happiness and satisfaction. That enchanting atmosphere was highly inspiring and enchanting.

Married virgins bathed the fasting new couples with well water, dressed them with new clothes and brought them forth for the Ganga Puja. Near the well, Ganga Puja was performed and Arati was offered. Everyone received the Mangalarati with devotion and felt blessed. Kankana was tied to the new couple standing there and they were made to take the Kalashas for which the Ganga Puja had been offered on their heads. The sound of Drums, ringing Bhajan, percussion instruments, musical instruments, the pipes of Dasayya, the Jagate, horns and other instruments appeared as though the entire city was being invited for the festivities.

The husband and wife carrying the Kalashas on head walked on the linen spread on the way and moved slowly towards the temple. The procession deity followed them from behind. People carrying Arati and music band were behind all of them. By the time this entire band reached the temple, the sun had come to the mid sky. Meanwhile, some elderly Shetty Yajamans arranged the burnt firewood into a square and stood on its sides to ensure that none walked in the surroundings. Each charcoal was burning like a reflection of Sun and was glowing.

The husband-wife who had brought the Kalash, along with the procession deity, the women wearing Arati, revolved around the Fire Plate (Agni Kunda) thrice.

Initially, worship is offered by the Ayya to the Agnikunda or the Sacrificial Fire. Then, with the Ayya in front, the couples carrying the Holy Kalash on head follow him while the procession deity is carried behind them, followed by women and every devotee carrying the Holy Fire “Arati” in lines. All of them remember the Goddess in their minds and without any trouble or hesitation, they easily walk across the burning charcoal or fire, even as the hearts of people witnessing this ceremonial offering start pounding with anxiety and bewilderment.

SaravabAdhA prashamanam
trailOkyasyAkhilEshwari| YEvamEva
twayA kArya asmadvairi vinAshanam||

From there, as soon as the Kalash-carrying newlywed couple enter the temple, priest Rangappa took those Kalashas and slowly installed them at the feet of the Goddess. After that, each and every person carrying individual Arati came one after the other and offered it to the Devi. In the end, the people felt highly blessed and satisfied as the priest Rangappa offered the Mahamangalarati. On this side, Dasayya offered a mixture of beetle leaves, areca nut, plantains and jaggary to Kencharaya Swamy, went round the Lord thrice pronouncing the victory chants “Aa Bhoota-yee Bhoota” (That spirit and this spirit) and the enchanting scene truly carried everyone on the path of devotion. After this, the carnival concluded with the distribution of Prasada.

The Sadhu Shetty community people have been continuing the organization of the annual fiesta of Supreme Mother Sri Doddamma Jaladurgamma Devi in the same manner, with all pomp and glory, year after year. Even to this day, with the grace and blessings of the Goddess, the devotees are getting their cherished desires fulfilled and leading a very happy, comfortable and happy life. Mother Goddess Sri Doddamma Jaladurgamma Devi is fulfilling the wishes of her devotees, blessing them with success in hand, wisdom in mind, prosperity in life, progress at home, brightness in face and peace in their houses. In recent times, all citizens of Shivamogga are coming to the temple, offering worship and getting their wishes granted by the deity, which is matter of pride for all of us.

Jayantee MangaLA KALee,
BhadrakALee KapAlinee|
DurgAkShamA ShivAdhAtri –
JaladurgE namOstutE||

We are happy to let the devotees of the Goddess know on this Golden Occasion that several magical and mystic instances have occurred in the past and have continued to occur even today due to the grace of Sri Doddamma Jaladurgamma Devi.

The original statue of Sri Devi was in the shape of a Linga and it was quite small in appearance. When the then Shetty Yajaman Contractor Venkatappa tried to loosen up the soil around it with a crowbar, he suddenly got tired and fell on the ground as he lost consciousness. People around him were frightened and sprinkled a little water on his face. Immediately, he woke up and started praying for the Goddess by repeatedly saying: “I am sorry Mother! Please pardon me Mother!” and so on and returned home. At home, he had loose motion with blood. Consultation with doctors was of no use as there was no improvement in his health condition. As soon as this strange incident spread around, the then president and all Yajamans assembled at the temple, offered worship to the Goddess and appealed to the Goddess by saying: “A sin has been committed inadvertently, Oh Goddess. Please bless him so that no further danger happens to him”. All of them prostrated before the Goddess and saluted her in utter devotion. Within a few moments of their prayer, there was a news from the house of Venkatappa that he had become alright and the loose motion had stopped. All of them heaved a sigh of relief and this message became viral.

In connection with the Kendadarchane, all the people concerned travelled to Kallathigiri to fetch Ganga, offered worship to the Ganga in the morning and climbed the hill, carrying with them all the essential items for the Puja. They crept into the cave, made preparations for the Puja, and when they opened the match box to lit the Camphor for Mangalarathi, the match box was empty with no sticks. People around murmured differently among themselves. The chief said it aloud: “whatever has happened has happened. Salute as it is”. When all the people folded their hands in salutation posture, somebody from behind shouted “FirePost” and lifted a burning wooden stick from the ground. Everyone looked at it and were wonderstruck. They grumbled aloud “Grand Mother never discards us.” Immediately, a heap of camphor was created and remembering the Goddess, it was lit with the fire post. The family of A Tayappa, who is one of the leaders of our Samaj living in Bengaluru, is a spiritually awakened family and they have been inspired by Sri Devi to submit Madilakki (some quantity of rice), Silk Sari, beetle leaves, areca nut and gold jewels to the Goddess on the occasion of Kendadarchane, every year and this has become a tradition being followed from distant past. This family is blessed with everything like education, wisdom, wealth, good fortune and so on.