The historic Nijasharana Ambigara Choudayya Gurupeetha in Narasipura, Kancharagatti, has announced the grand schedule for its upcoming cultural mega-event. Swami Shantabhishma Choudayya revealed that the 10th Ambigara Sharana Cultural Festival will be celebrated on January 14 and 15, 2026, promising a spiritually rich and socially impactful two-day program.
A Detailed Look at the Festival Schedule
The festivities will commence at the break of dawn on January 14. At 6 am, the sacred cradle ceremony of Nijasharana Ambigara Choudayya will be performed, marking the beginning of the celebrations. This will be followed by special puja rituals at the Choudayya Unity Hall. The morning will also witness a noble blood donation camp and a heartwarming mass wedding ceremony, embodying the community spirit.
Later in the day, the peetha will recognize talent by distributing awards to winners of various competitions, including talent recognition and vachana recitation. As the sun sets, the spiritual ambiance will intensify with a mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at 7 pm, followed by a vibrant cultural program in the evening.
Inaugurations and Anniversary Celebrations
The second day, January 15, will begin with the hoisting of the Dharma flag and a Dharma Sabha gathering. The highlight will be the inauguration of several major projects constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore. These include a stone pavilion dedicated to Ambigara Choudayya, a bronze statue, and the Maharshi Vedavyasa Kalyana Mantapa. The pontiff confirmed that an invitation has been extended to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for this significant event.
At 11 am, devotees will gather for the 906th birth anniversary celebration of Saint Ambigara Choudayya. This will be immediately followed by the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Peetharohana ceremony. The evening will be dedicated to literature with the Vachana Grantha Maharathotsava.
Honouring a Legacy: The State-Level Award
In a significant announcement, Swami Shantabhishma Choudayya shared that this year's prestigious state-level Ambigara Choudayya Veera Ganachari Award will be conferred posthumously. The honor will be bestowed upon the rebellious writer Chandranna Walikar from Kalaburagi, recognizing his contributions and aligning with the festival's theme of celebrating courageous voices in society.
The festival, organized from the Narasipura Gurupeetha in Haveri district, is poised to be a major cultural and spiritual draw, attracting followers and well-wishers from across Karnataka and beyond.
