The historic Renuka Yallamma Temple in Savadatti, Belagavi district, was a sea of yellow and devotion on Thursday as lakhs of devotees gathered to mark the auspicious occasion of Margashirsha Purnima. The annual grand fair, a hallmark of the region's cultural and religious calendar, witnessed an overwhelming turnout from across Karnataka and neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Goa.
A Festival of Devotion and Unique Rituals
Despite the scorching heat, an unbroken stream of devotees made their way to Yallammanagudda, the hillock abode of the goddess, for darshan. The air was thick with devotion and the vibrant yellow of turmeric powder, known locally as bhandara. A key highlight of the celebration was the ritual where devotees joyfully threw bhandara at each other, covering the entire temple precincts in a golden hue.
This act holds deep religious symbolism. For the faithful, the golden turmeric represents wealth and prosperity, and throwing it is a way of seeking the blessings of Goddess Renuka Yallamma for abundance. The ritual is an integral part of the annual jatra, particularly on the full moon day of Margashira, which is also called Banada Hunnime.
Elaborate Arrangements for a Smooth Pilgrimage
Anticipating the massive footfall, authorities made extensive arrangements. The North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) operated special bus services from key locations including Naragund, Navalgund, Belagavi, Dharwad-Hubballi, Vijayapura, and Bagalkot to facilitate smooth travel.
The police department, led by CPI Suresh Bendegol and PSI KM Bannur, implemented tight security measures and traffic management plans to handle congestion on routes like Ugargol, Jogulabhavi, and Savadatti. The Yallamma Temple Development Authority ensured basic amenities like drinking water and toilets were available, and managed parking for the influx of vehicles.
Religious Ceremonies and Dignitaries
The day's festivities included a maha yagna (great fire ritual) performed by priests and elders. Ritualistic homa and havana were conducted by several religious figures, including Ajjayya Shastri of Huli Hiremath, Mahantesh Shastri of Mareguddi Hiremath, and Veereshwar Shastri of Shindhogi.
The temple also saw the presence of officials and community leaders. Secretary of the Yallamma Temple Development Authority Ashok Dudagunti, Savadatti Tahsildar Mallikarjun Heggannavar, Deputy Secretary Nagaratna Cholina, and others were present to oversee the proceedings and participate in the rituals. Elders from Aralikatti village, considered the deity's abode, offered sarees, blouses, bangles, turmeric, and saffron during the ceremonies.
The Margashirsha Purnima fair at the Renuka Yallamma Temple once again proved to be a powerful testament to the region's enduring spiritual traditions, successfully blending deep devotion with meticulous civic planning to host the lakhs who arrived seeking blessings.
