Belagavi district is preparing for Navratri, starting Monday, with a series of cultural, art, literary, and mythological events. Alongside the Naada Habba celebrations and the nine-day Durgamata Daud in Belagavi, Yallammanagudda in Savadatti is expected to draw lakhs of devotees. Police personnel will be deployed based on priority areas to ensure safety.
As in previous years, the Nadahabba Utsav Samiti, Belagavi, will host the Naada Habba with art, literature, and cultural activities over nine days. Lavish Navratri events are also scheduled at Hiremath in Hukkeri. The Yallamma Temple Development Authority, under the guidance of the district administration, will oversee the nine-day celebrations at Yallammanagudda, beginning Monday evening with a special puja for Goddess Yallamma. Each day, the deity will be adorned in different avatars. Ayudha Puja will be observed on October 1, and the festivities will conclude with the traditional ‘bunni’ exchange on October 2. Devotees customarily pour oil into the temple lamps, and a huge lamppost has been erected in front of the deity.
Temple officials reported record oil collection in 2023, with 14,194 litres sold at Rs 51 per litre, generating Rs 7,23,894. In 2024, 16,200 litres were sold at Rs 58 per litre, raising Rs 9,39,600. Last year, over 21 lakh devotees visited the shrine. Officials expect oil collection to increase this year.
Vishwas Vaidya, MLA Savadatti, assured that facilities for devotees will be sufficient. Ashok Dudagunti, secretary of the Yallamma Temple Development Authority, said arrangements have been made for smooth darshan, with a strong emphasis on cleanliness and a complete ban on plastics. Battery-powered vehicles will be available for pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Across the city, Devi mantaps for Durga Mata Daud have been set up. The nine-day Durga Mata Daud, organised by Shiva Pratishthan Hindusthan Sanghatana for the past 27 years, will commence on Monday.
Precautionary Measures
City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase stated that Durga Mata idols have been installed at approximately 166 locations, with dandiya programs at 169 venues, following Supreme Court guidelines. Organisers have been instructed to deploy private security. About 1,300 officers and staff from the police commissionerate, 300 home guards, five KSRP squads, 12 Shakti Vahana vehicles, Hoysala units, and highway patrolling vehicles have been deployed. Social media platforms will also be closely monitored to maintain law and order.
