Lakhs of Devotees Embark on Sacred Padayatra to Ulavi Channabasavanna Fair
The air resonates with the powerful chants of "Adikeshwara, Madikeshwara, Ulavi Channabasaveshwara, Hara Hara Hara Mahadeva…!" as a massive group of devotees sets out on a spiritual padayatra to reach the sacred shrine of Ulavi. This annual pilgrimage, drawing lakhs of participants, is in full swing with the grand fair of Ulavi Channabasavanna scheduled for February 3. The journey, marked by unwavering devotion, sees entire families traveling together, often camping for up to a month to honor this revered tradition.
Pilgrims from Across North Karnataka Converge on Ulavi
Devotees are pouring in from various regions of North Karnataka, including Hubballi–Dharwad, Bailhongal, Kittur, Savadatti, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Haveri, and Gadag. After completing the post-harvest season, families—comprising children, women, and elders—embark on this collective journey. Many travel via bullock carts, known locally as chakkadi, while others undertake padayatra on foot. Thousands have already arrived in Ulavi, with hundreds more passing through Dharwad daily en route to the shrine.
Dasoha Service: A Heartwarming Tradition Along the Route
A standout feature of this pilgrimage is the dasoha service, a voluntary community meal organized by devotees for fellow pilgrims. This selfless act ensures that no traveler goes hungry along the challenging routes. Most pilgrims follow the path from Dharwad through Haliyal–Dandeli–Joida, covering approximately 110 kilometers to reach Ulavi, with alternative routes including Alnavar–Haliyal, Yellapur, and Dandeli.
As the journey progresses, forest areas begin about 10 kilometers from Dharwad. While many pilgrims carry basic food supplies, local devotees have enthusiastically set up dasoha points at frequent intervals. Along the nearly 50-kilometer stretch between Dharwad and Haliyal–Dandeli, these services are available at 8 to 10 locations, providing essential sustenance and comfort.
Nourishment and Care for Pilgrims and Bullocks
The dasoha service offers a variety of meals to support the pilgrims throughout their trek:
- Breakfast: Uppittu (upma), churumuri, avalakki (poha), and tea.
- Lunch: Rice, sambar, sheera, wheat huggi, and pulao.
- Refreshments: Buttermilk, drinking water, and watermelon to combat the afternoon heat.
In a touching extension of this tradition, some devotees also provide fodder for the bullocks, ensuring the well-being of the animals that play a crucial role in the journey. This holistic care enriches the age-old dasoha practice, highlighting the community's deep-rooted compassion.
Decades of Dedication at Key Locations
This service has been a consistent feature for several decades at specific points along the route, such as Halligeri village, Haliyal, and Dandeli Cross. At Haliyal, a temporary tent is erected annually in an open ground named Chandavana, owned by Sumangala Chandrakant. A dedicated team, including Shivanand Devagiri, Sanjeeva Lakmanahalli, Shivaputrappa Bhavikatti, and Saraswati Poojar, manages the dasoha here, earning widespread appreciation from devotees.
Ulavi: A Spiritual Haven with Historical Significance
Ulavi, located in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district, is a sacred pilgrimage center of immense importance to the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Following the Kalyana revolution in the 12th century, Vachanakara Channabasavanna migrated from Kalyana to this dense forest region to preserve Vachana literature. The site houses Channabasavanna's samadhi and several natural caves, serving as a testament to his spiritual legacy. It is believed that Channabasavanna stayed in Dharwad during his journey, where the Ulavi Channabasaveshwara temple now stands, further cementing the area's religious significance.
