Devotees celebrating Bharat Hannam Festival at Saundatti Yalamma Temple in Belagavi district on Wednesday. Photo Credit: PK Badigir
On Wednesday, a Grand Fair was organized as part of the Bharat Hannam Festival at the Yalamma temple of Saundatti.
A large crowd of devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and other states is participating in the festival.
It was the first Bharat Hannam Fair organized after the establishment of Yalamma Devi Temple Development Complex and Renuka Yalamma Kshatra Development Authority.
From Tuesday morning, a sea of devotees started flowing towards the Yalamma temple. By Wednesday morning, the entire mountainous region was filled with people. Special puja were organized in the morning and evening.
Despite the scorching sun, the devotee stood in long queues to catch a glimpse of Renuka Yalamma. The queue extends from the temple to the main entrance.
Devotees took a holy dip in Jogulabavi in Yalamma Gudda Hill. He then performed rituals such as Urulu Seve and Diramskar, demanding the blessings of the Goddess.
Devotees camped on the hill cooked various dishes and prepared offerings. Later, he offered begging for the jogetis and raised slogans, including “Udho Udho Yalamma Ninnalku Udho”.
The youth immersed in the festival dance on the beats of Varmilian Bhanda Okuli. The entire hill was bathed in various colors of yellow.
The sale of puja materials like Kumkum, Coconut, Banana, camphor and betel nut was fast. Most shops were crowded with customers.
The dance of Jogetis with the voice of Choundaki, fascinated everyone. Folk art boards demonstrated from within and outside the state.
The police department has taken steps to manage heavy traffic on the roads leading to the hill. More than 1,000 police personnel have been deployed along the route. Ensuring less traffic issues than previous years, randomly parked vehicles are being removed.
The elderly and separate separate, battery powered vehicles from the main gate to the temple premises. Free mini-bus services are being provided for those going from Ugragola to the temple.
LED screens have been installed at various points to ensure that everyone can see the goddess.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, Superintendent of Police Bhimshankar S. Gaulle and Temple Authority Secretary Ashok Dudgti reviewed the preparations with other officials.
The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) freed thousands of devotees. With the passage of the hill, the farmers provided free water from their borewells to bathe and wash their livestock.
Vidhan Sabha member Vishwas Vaidya told reporters that this time the fair is being organized systematically, thanks to the efforts of all the officers and employees as well as the support of the devotees.
Published – February 12, 2025 07:34 pm IST
