Devotees throng Antaragange

Special poojas were held on the last Monday of Karthika Masa

The devotees from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nandu, apart from people from various districts of the State, took a dip in the holy pond nearby and lined up for hours to have ‘darshana’ of ‘panchalinga,’ including Kashi Vishweshwara Linga.

They also thronged Jalakanneswara temple atop the hill and collected the holy water from the mouth of ‘basava’ near the pond.

Bhajranga Dal activists distributed ‘prasada’ free of cost. They also arranged vehicles for the devotees from Antaragange to the hill.

On both sides of the road up to hill flowers, coconuts and various articles were being sold.

Of the devotees climbing up the hill majority were youth and students. Interestingly, the police were present in large number, in an unprecedented manner.  They were trying to disperse the crowd obstructing the path.

DySP Sangappa Chalawadi, Circle Inspectors Renuka Prasad and Dhananjay led the teams of policemen deployed at the venue. There were stray incidences of skirmishes between police and the Dal activists. However, Kashi Vishweshwara Linga temple was crowded as the devotees sat there to receive ‘prasada.’

Free shaving service!

The main attraction here was free shaving service offered by Savita Samaja members. Usually the devotees, who vowed to offer their hairs here had a shave before climbing up the hill.

The teams led by Disco Shivappa, Narayanaswamy, Jayanagara Srinivas, Ramu, Ranganatha and Nagaraj began the service at 7 am which continued till 6.30 pm.
“For the last five years, we have been offering the free service,” the barbers told
 Deccan Herald.