Belagavi: Lakhs of devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra thronged Yallammanagudda on Saturday as a monthlong Banada Hunnime fair commenced. The district administration made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth darshan and provide necessary facilities for the large influx of pilgrims.Despite the chilly weather, devotees performed rituals with devotion. They offered special prayers to Mother Yallamma Devi.By the early hours of Saturday, the hill area was crowded. The chants of ‘Udho Udho Yallamma’ filled the air. Special prayers were performed for Goddess Renuka Yallamma in the morning and evening. Devotees stood in queues from early morning to have darshan of the Goddess.Devotees took holy baths in the Jogulabavi and the oil tank of Yallammanagar. Separate bathing arrangements were made for men and women. Offerings were prepared on the roadside and in the vast surroundings of the hill and distributed to devotees.The dance of the Jogatis and the performances of folk art groups drew large crowds. The youth threw Bhandara (turmeric) over the temple.The sale of puja items, including coconut, camphor, and saffron-bhandara, was brisk in various shops. Traffic was disrupted on the Yallammanagaram-Ugargol route. Vehicles were lined up for a distance of 3km to 4km. Police struggled to resolve the traffic issues.The district administration and Yallamma Temple Development Authority ensured arrangements including drinking water through overhead tanks and water points, rooms for accommodation, renovated toilets, health clinics, ambulances, and fire services. Security was strengthened by deploying police personnel and home guards. The transport department will operate more buses from outside, including Belagavi, with more services planned if crowd increases. The fair will continue until Shivaratri.
