Grand Tungabhadra Aarti Mahotsava at Sri Huligemma Devi Temple in Koppal

The Tungabhadra Aarti Mahotsava was celebrated with grandeur on Tuesday evening at the renowned Sri Huligemma Devi Temple at Huligi village in Koppal district.

For the first time, the festival was organised on the banks of the Tungabhadra, modelled on the Ganga Aarti of the holy city of Kashi.

The event was jointly hosted by the Hindu Religious Endowments Department, the Koppal district administration and the Sri Huligemma Devi Temple Development Authority of Huligi village.

As many as 15 priests conducted the Aarti, creating a spiritual ambience reminiscent of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. Nearly 2,000 Aarti kits were distributed free to devotees to allow public participation.

Ahead of the Aarti, Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadgi, Koppal MP K. Rajshekhar Hitnal, MLA Raghavendra Hitnal, MLC Hemalatha Nayak and office-bearers of the Temple Development Authority offered ceremonial oblations to the Tungabhadra.

The festival featured Chandika Homa, a special meal for devotees, a ceremonial procession by women carrying sacred pots, installation of festival idols on the riverbank and special prayers.

Cultural events included a women’s ritual of filling sacred pots, Bharatanatyam performances by Anjali Kala Troupe from Hosapete and other cultural programmes on a riverside stage.

Vachanananda Swamy of the Panchamasali Peetha, Harihar, heads of various maths, the former MP Karadi Sanganna, the former MLA K. Basavaraj Hitnal and others attended the event.