Curtains come down on Tharalabalu Hunnime fest
Organising committee plans to build hostel for women in Kadur
The nine-day long Tharalabalu Hunnime Mahotsava came to an end in Kadur town, on Tuesday. 
Having a history of over half century, ‘Tharalabalu Hunnime Mahotsava’ is celebrated as ‘Nada Habba’ in Kadur with all glitz and grandeur. The festival stands unique for it has crossed the barrier of caste, creed, region and language and is well known for uniting people together and creating a sense of brotherhood. The festival ended on Tuesday with Tharalabalu Dr Shivamurthy Shivacharya Swamiji was carried in a palanquin.
The history says that Shivasharana Vishwabandhu Marulasiddha fought against the supremacy and dictatorship of the rich in 12th Century and formed an all religion Peetha.
He made his student Thelagabalu Siddhaiah to sit on the Peetha on a full moon day and blessed him saying “Tharalabalu”. So the festival has its foundation in blessing- blessing for the good and for change.
The later Shivasharanas who ascended the Peetha celebrated Tharala Hunnime as a festival which is devoid of all barriers like caste, creed and language. The festival is organised by the funds donated by devotees. Social works are carried out in the places where Tharala Hunnime is organised every year. Social work is closely connected to Tharala Hunnime as many developmental work for the community has been done so far including the construction of Kalyana Mantapa, schools and colleges, hostels, irrigation facilities and others. In the last year’s festival which was held in Bangalore, it was announced that this year the festival will be celebrated in Kadur.
Though there were apprehensions about organising the fest in Kadur initially due to draught in the taluk, it was later decided to organise the festival in Kadur owing to the support of the devotees. The organising committee has planned to build a hostel for women in Kadur using the remaining donation amount of this year’s festival. Religious leaders like Pejawar Mutt seer Vishweshatheertha Swamiji, Shivaratrideshikendra Swamiji, Sanehalli Panditaradhya Swamiji, Adichunchanagiri Sringeri Shakha Mutt Swamiji and others took part in the nine-day festival.
Religious leaders including Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, former CM Yeddyurappa, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, Council Opposition party leader Motamma, Congress President Dr G Parameshwar and others participated in the festival.
In various sessions that were held during the festival, most of the speakers felt the need of putting an end to corruption. The sessions came out with several though provoking ideas which could be used for the betterment of the community.
