<p>Colourful rangolis decorated the households and the people who had gathered gave way once the sound of cymbal was heard accompanied by two people belonging to dalit community entered their locality. <br /><br />This was part of Bajjammadevi habba held at Hallikerehundi in the taluk on Thursday, where the Veerahaivas worshiped dalits and presented them with food grains.<br /><br />The story goes back to 12th century when as per the directions of social reformer Basavanna, two dalits Kembavi Bogeshwara and Gangadhareshwara from North Karnataka entered Ganaganur. But they were insulted by the people of upper class. It is said those insulted them had to undergo sufferings while those respected them were spared. The custom of inviting them and performing puja began and is still in practice, say the locals.<br /><br />Rangaswamy and Murthy of Ganaganuru smeared with black colour and wearing garlands were the dalits who performed the ritual this year, by entering houses of all the Veerashaiva family in the village. Dalit leader Jayaprakash said that only two families are permitted to enter the houses that too once in a year during the festival which has been followed since decades.</p>
<p>Colourful rangolis decorated the households and the people who had gathered gave way once the sound of cymbal was heard accompanied by two people belonging to dalit community entered their locality. <br /><br />This was part of Bajjammadevi habba held at Hallikerehundi in the taluk on Thursday, where the Veerahaivas worshiped dalits and presented them with food grains.<br /><br />The story goes back to 12th century when as per the directions of social reformer Basavanna, two dalits Kembavi Bogeshwara and Gangadhareshwara from North Karnataka entered Ganaganur. But they were insulted by the people of upper class. It is said those insulted them had to undergo sufferings while those respected them were spared. The custom of inviting them and performing puja began and is still in practice, say the locals.<br /><br />Rangaswamy and Murthy of Ganaganuru smeared with black colour and wearing garlands were the dalits who performed the ritual this year, by entering houses of all the Veerashaiva family in the village. Dalit leader Jayaprakash said that only two families are permitted to enter the houses that too once in a year during the festival which has been followed since decades.</p>
