A committee headed by MLA H S Prakash was formed to oversee preparations for the festival. The tahsildhar was directed to fix the opening and the closing time of the temple during the celebrations. Decisions like appointing another 20 to 25 priests to assist the chief priest, installing CCTVs at important locations, deploying adequate police force and fixing Rs 250 per head for special darshan, were also taken.
Background.
This Shakthidevathe temple was said to have been constructed in 12th century by Palegar Krishnappa Nayaka.
The speciality of this deity is that it is opened only 20 days in a year. This time, it will be opened for devotees from October 20 to November 18. Devotees believe that the goddess fulfils their aspirations.
The oil lamp lit on the day of closing will be still burning on the day of opening of temple next year. The ‘prasada’ kept in front of the goddess is not spoilt even after one year.
Special pujas, various rituals, teppotsava of Siddeshwaraswamy, Basaveshwara swamy car festival will be held on the first day of Diwali.
Meanwhile, the devotees of the temple and principal priest others are sore over non-completion of the gopura work eventhough the festival is fast approaching.
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