Anusooya Jayanthi celebrations was observed atop Inam Dattatrya peeta as a precursor to Datta Jayanthi celebrations, on Tuesday.
The devotees took out a Sankeerthana Yatra as a part of the celebrations on Mahathma Gandhi Road by singing bhajans. A few women had worn saffron coloured saree and a few had saffron shwal. Sankeerthana Yatra was concluded at Kamadhenu Ganapathy Temple.
A large number of women from Hassan, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore, Mysore, Madikeri, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi districts had taken part and had the darshan of Datta Paduke.
Women from Sangh Parivar welcomed the women participants with turmeric, vermillion and green bangles.
Anusooya devi pooja, Ganapathi homa, Durga homa was held in a temporary shed constructed near the Peeta under the guidance of Avadhani Raghu.
Mahila Morcha President Reena Prakash, Women Development Corporation President Sarojini Bharadwaj, Zilla Panchayat President Rekha Huliyappa Gowda, and others participated in Sankeerthana yatra.
Higher Education Minister C T Ravi, Sangh Parivar leaders Jayaram, K P Hebbar, Shivashankar, Premkiran and others participated in the religious rituals.
District administration had made elaborate security arrangements, to avoid any untoward incidents.
TV crew assaulted
As a part of Datta Jayanthi, turmeric, vermillion and saree was distributed among women, at the house of Minister C T Ravi. The cameraman of a channel, who was covering the programme was assaulted by a follower of the Minister. When the journalists staged a protest, Minister pacified them and said “it was a Hindu tradition to offer turmeric, vermillion and saree for women who visit house. There was no hidden agenda in offering. I do not have any relationship with the person who had assaulted cameraman.”
However, KJP leader Tejeshkumar accused Ravi for using Datta Jayanthi celebrations for political gain.
Members of self help groups were wooed to take part in Anusooya Jayanthi celebrations.