JOIN USSon Abhishek performs Ambareesh's last rites
Sandalwood legend Ambareesh's son Abhishek Gowda performed the last rites at the Kanteerava Studio on Monday evening.
Initial plans of the state government for the final journey of Sandalwood star-turned-politician MH Ambareesh from the Kanteerava Stadium to Kanteerava Studios near Goraguntepalya was troubled by the inauspicious ‘Rahukala’.
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The state government had flown the mortal remains of Ambareesh to Mandya on Sunday to facilitate his fans to pay homage to their departed star and later announced that the body will be brought back to Bengaluru early on Monday. However, the prevalence of ‘Rahukala’ prompted the officials not to lift the body from the stadium in Mandya till 9 am.
Sources in Mandya revealed that on Monday the Rahukala prevailed from 7:30 am to 9 am and officials resolved to lift the body later. The delay in moving the mortal remains to Bengaluru is likely to delay the funeral as well, which is likely to go into Monday evening. The funeral procession will begin at around noon and reach the Kantheerava Studios by 2 pm after covering a distance of 15 km.
Sources close Ambareesh's family told Deccan Herald that the last rites will be conducted as per Vokkaliga tradition and a series of rituals will be conducted spanning 2 hours. “Priests Chikka Huchchaiah and Konappa Poojari from Maddur have been conducting all religious events in Ambareesh's family. The team will be assisted by a team of priests from Bengaluru to carry out the rituals at Kanteerava Studios," sources said.
A funeral pyre is being prepared on a stage measuring 1.5 feet in height. Loads of sandalwood sticks have been brought in, officials said.