Belagavi: The annual Mangai Devi fair at Vadagavi in Belagavi began on Tuesday, attracting thousands of devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra. A unique tradition associated with the fair involves tossing hen chicks atop the temple on Krishna Paksha Dwadashi, observed on the eighth and twelfth days of the waning moon in the Ashadha month according to local customs. Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Mohammed Roshan has reiterated that animal and bird sacrifice will not be permitted during the fair. The ban will remain in force until the festivities conclude, with officials directed to ensure strict compliance.Mangai Devi temple in Vadagavi is a centre of worship for thousands of devotees. Devotees from faraway places come to the fair held every year. This tradition has been going on for many years. It is considered special, and even women who have married and moved away from the area to distant villages attend the fair. Earlier, animal sacrifices were conducted at the fair. As govt restrictions were strictly enforced, the practice gradually declined. During the fair, devotees come in large numbers and toss hen chicks atop the temple, as a gesture of devotion. The chicks fall and get trampled to death by people. This practice is gradually decreasing, and devotees are now prioritising visiting the goddess and offering prayers.Neela, a devotee from Hubballi, said she came to have darshan of the goddess. Many of her relatives have come from faraway places, including Kolhapur, and Mumbai. They will return after visiting the goddess. We will not toss the chicks to the temple tower, but rather we will offer prayers and return, she said.Now there are large markets set up featuring household goods, toys, traditional food stalls, and festive trade around the temple and Shahapur-Vadgaon areas, for the fair.
