Deve Gowda leaves for Hassan in the middle of ritual

JD(S) Supremo H D Deve Gowda, along with his wife Chennamma, left for Hassan, on learning of the demise of his mother in-law and Chennamma's mother Kalamma (99) on Thursday.

The former Prime Minister and his family had initiated the 'Ati Rudra Maha Yaga', a sacred fire ritual, at Chandrashekhara Bharati Hall in Shringeri on Wednesday.

As the news of Kalamma's death was received at around 10 am, the family left for Hassan at around 10.30 am. Kalamma was hospitalised following an illness.

However, the yaga was resumed under the guidance of priests Krishna Bhat, Shiva Kumara Sharma and 150 others.

The family sources said that the Deve Gowda family will return to the Mutt after the last rites of the deceased, on January 7 and will tale part in the final offerings of the sacred fire ritual on January 14.

JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy, Anita Kumaraswamy, Revanna, Bhavani and Prajwal will also be present during the 'Poornahuti', JD(S) leader H G Venkatesh said.

Taluk JD(S) president Gangaghatta Manjunath and Sunkurdi Vivekananda Rao were present.