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Ali said this annual fair is a one-day business where he earns thousands of rupees, and he has been opening the shop for many years. Kalaburagi : An agricultural field near Kachapur village in Jewargi taluk comes alive for a few hours every Deepavali Amavasya as thousands from surrounding villages gather for the unique ‘Jat Pat’ fair. For cracker seller Meboob Ali, the brief fair also means a day of brisk business. His son also sells crackers in Sindagi town in Vijayapura district, and he or his son will open a one-day stall at this annual fair. Food and fun add to the bustle. Young men from the villages relish bendu battasa, jalebi, karadantu and freshly prepared hot bhajis. Wrestling bouts draw their attention, while others blow flutes and whistles for fun. Another attraction is the small-scale sale of firecrackers. Vendors spread their goods on the ground, with visitors stopping to buy them for their children. Known locally as ‘Chote’ or ‘Maddu’, the crackers are also lit at the venue amid loud cheers. But the bustle is short-lived. As evening approaches, the crowd gradually disperses and visitors return to their villages. As night falls, the noise and excitement fade. Complete silence descends, making it seem as though the fair had never taken place. Download the TOI App.
This year’s fair will be held on Monday (Nov 9) at the shrine of Mudijattappa, located in an agricultural field belonging to the Kulkarni family of Kachapur village, near the Savulhalla bridge at Dummadri Cross on the Yadrami-Malli road. Sumitrabai Naykodi, 40, told T OI that she has been visiting this annual fair every year since her childhood as it is only a one-day fair, which is a very fast and quick fair where thousands of people gather in the morning from surrounding villages, and by evening they return to their villages purchasing crackers for their children. On the day of the fair, Mudijattappa’s palanquin arrives from Kachapur, accompanied by the ceremonial kalasha and traditional drum troupes. Most visitors are farmers and their families from nearby villages such as Malli, Dummadri, Vadageri, Nagarahalli, Ainapur, Sumbad, Maginageri and Kulageri. Once the puja is over and families have offered naivedya (food offerings) to the deity, they unpack food brought from home. They settle along the banks of the stream and enjoy a festive meal together.