A unique festival, known as the Khichdi Festival, is currently underway in Bagalkote, Karnataka. Devotees prepare large quantities of rice, which is then distributed as prasad to fellow devotees.
According to reports, the khichdi is prepared in large vessels, giving rise to the festival’s local name, the Khichdi Fair. The celebrations are taking place at the Prabhulingeshwara Fair in the Chimmad village of the Bagalkote district, situated in the Jamkhandi taluk.
Historical accounts suggest that this tradition began nearly 300 years ago with only five handfuls of rice. Today, approximately 210 quintals of rice are used to make the khichdi, which is then distributed to devotees as prasad. The rice is sourced from Belagavi, the dal comes from Hubbali and the spices are brought from Vijayapura. It’s reported that the festival is attended by hundreds of thousands of devotees.
As per beliefs surrounding this tradition, a grandmother who was a potter in the same village, used to offer khichdi and ambali, a millet-based drink, to Lord Prabhu. The god was immensely pleased with her devotion and rewarded her with happiness and prosperity. It was believed that consuming this khichdi could alleviate diseases.
Devotees hold the belief that consuming the khichdi prasad and worshipping Lord Prabhulingeswara can cure illnesses and bring happiness to their homes. Many believers from Maharashtra and Goa also make the pilgrimage to this place to offer their prayers.
Similarly, a Khichdi Mela is held in Gorakhpur, considered the sacred land of Guru Gorakhnath. Nepal also places faith in this land, believing that the King of Nepal’s inaugural khichdi offering must be made here.
Khichdi is also important during the festival of Makar Sankranti, where it is eaten as prasad. This festival marks the commencement of the harvest season and believers offer rice and lentils to the sun god.
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