Tens of thousands of devotees attended the 204th Sharanabasaveshwar Rathotsava in Kalaburagi, marking the death anniversary of 18th century saint Sharanabasaveshwar.
The chariot procession circled the temple complex as part of Sharanabasaveshwara Jatra Mahotsava. Devotees from Karnataka and neighboring states participated, cutting across caste and community lines.
Ninth Peetadhipathi Sri Doddappa Appa performed ceremonies in his first Jatra after his father, Sharanabasawappa Appa, passed away. He displayed the silver Prasada Battalu and Linga Sajjike before blowing the conch to start the Rathotsava.
Devotees threw bananas tied with dry dates toward the flower-decorated temple car. Many walked long distances on padayatra and observed day-long fasts, breaking only after chariot pulling and prasada distribution around 6:30 PM.
The 15-day Jatra Mahotsava is Kalyana Karnataka’s largest religious gathering. Voluntary groups served free food, water, and buttermilk to pilgrims waiting in long queues near Appa Lake and temple roads.
Celebrations gained special significance without the eighth Peetadhipathi Sharanabasawappa Appa, whose decades-long guidance shaped Jatra rituals. Devotees gathered from 4 AM witnessing continued Lingayat spiritual tradition.
Kalaburagi’s 204th Rathotsava showcased Sharanabasaveshwar’s enduring legacy as lakhs pulled the sacred chariot, reaffirming the social reformer saint’s message of unity across communities during the historic fortnight festival.
