BENGALURU: A large number of Hanuma devotees marched through the streets at many places across the state to mark Hanuma Jayanthi celebrations on Monday.
A Hanuma Jayanthi padayatra was planned in the city from the Kodandarama Temple in Padarayanapura to the Rameshwara Temple in Chamarajpet. The police department had not approved the Shobha Yatra as it is a sensitive issue, but the organisers had threatened to conduct the yatra no matter what. Later in the evening, about 25 people were detained by the police when they tried to take out the Yatra.
On the occasion of Hanuma Jayanthi, a procession will be held at 6 pm in Kushalnagar and thousands of devotees are expected to participate in the Shobha Yatra. More than 600 police have been deployed for security.
Hanuma Maladharis also took out a 30 km padayatra towards Siddara Betta in Nelamangala. More than 500 Maladharis took part.
Chikkaballapur’s Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple was vibrantly decorated with lightning on the occasion of Hanuma Jayanthi. Nirmalananda Swamiji of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math arrived at the temple, offered prayers and performed special puja. The devotees queued up for darshan, and were enthralled by the decoration.
Celebrations were also held at Anjanadri Hill, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, in Koppal district. Lakhs of devotees, wearing Hanuma malas, climbed the hill chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Hanuman devotees from various districts like Belagavi, Hubballi, Gadag, Raichur, Haveri, Bagalkot, Ballari, Davanagere took part. The devotees began to climb the hill as early as 1 am. Special pujas and offerings were held and the taluk administration had arranged for prasada for devotees.
The devotees who came via Koppal directly climbed the Anjanadri hill, while devotees from other districts participated in the Sankirna Yatra in Gangavati and reached the hill by vehicles.
Former minister G Janardhana Reddy performed a special puja near Pampa Sarovar, wore Hanuma mala, participated in the Sankirana Yatra and climbed the hill and performed a special puja.
In the religious gathering at Anjanadri Hill, Muzrai Department Minister Shashikala Jolle and Sri Rama Sene leader Pramod Muthalik participated. The celebration culminated without any untoward incidents.