Theppotsava relives affinity with lakes

Theppotsava relives affinity with lakes
Deccan Herald

The Sampangiramnagar Tank adjacent to Kanteerava Stadium in the City held an air of festivity on Monday or Kartika Somavara for the second time in two years.

The Sampangiramnagar Tank adjacent to Kanteerava Stadium in the City held an air of festivity on Monday or Kartika Somavara for the second time in two years. It was decked up with lights (electrical and traditional) for the Theppotsava (float festival), organised by MLA Katta Subrahmanya Naidu under the aegis of the Katta Cultural Foundation.

A large number of people, particularly women, had gathered to witness the festival in which Goddess Annamma was seated on a decorated float and taken around the tank or lake thrice. The women were also readying the traditional lamps to set them afloat on the waters as is the tradition, amid the sound of music.

The Theppa or float will be in the tank overnight and on Tuesday evening the goddess will be taken round in a procession in Sampangiramnagar and Cubbonpet areas.

A similar attempt at reviving tradition and ensuring protection of lakes in the process was designed by the then Deputy Conservator of Forests, Urban Division, Mr Jairam in 1996-97. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mr Jairam said, “Nearly 20 to 30 years, there was a tradition of observing Theppotsava in some of the lakes in the City. But slowly it died down. I thought this was a nice way to ensure protection of lakes and create an attachment among people towards the water bodies in their areas,” he explained, recalling the experience of reviving the tradition in Devarakere or Bikasipura lake in ISRO Layout and in BEL Layout in Vasanthapura.

“We designed a fibre float for more safety whilst the goddess was taken around in a procession. We even did some additions like another float with an orchestra on it for people to enjoy,” he said.