Sirsi: Amidst a surge in the third wave of Covid pandemic, the famous Sirsi Marikamba Jathre will be held from March 15 to 23, the festival will be held once in two years.

Marikamba temple priest Ramakrishna Bhat has announced the dates of Jathre, it will be held for 8 days. Soon after announcing the dates of jathre, the priest offers a special Pooja to the deity. Thousands of people will gather the famous Markiamba Jathre. Before Covid enters the Country in 2020, Marikamba Jathre is held without any hassle. On March 24, 2020, the nationwide lockdown was announced to combat deadly coronavirus.

This famous festival draws devotees from all over Karnataka who will come for a glimpse of the goddess, the festival is considered unique in this place. The chariot ride where the deity was placed inside the chariot was a major event of the festivals.

Festivals will be held on Covid protocol, due to the surge in Covid cases, especially the highly infectious Omicron variant, the district authority has yet to take a call to give permission for the chariot ride.

As per the latest guidelines of the state government all types of religious events, festivals, gathering are banned across the state. District authorities have been asked to take a call after considering the needs of their respective districts.