Devotees throng Deviramma Hills on Naraka Chaturdashi

Thousands of devotees from Karnataka and other states climbed Deviramma Hills in Chikkamagaluru to fulfill their vows and had a glimpse of the deity on the occasion of Naraka Chaturdashi on Wednesday.

The people on this day, fulfill their vows made before the presiding deity, Bindiga Deviramma of Mallenagalli, at the temple atop the hill. Special pooja was offered to the deity.

A large number of devotees formed a beeline since Tuesday night. They traversed the path of Manikyadhara - Arishinaguppe of Bababudangiri barefoot to witness the rare fete. Many were accompanied by their kids. Not only the people from Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chamarajanagara, Mysuru, Mandya, Davanagere and Kodagu but also from Tamil Nadu and Kerala were present. Youth who came in large number were seen clicking photographs on their mobile phones.

The devotees fulfilled their vows by smearing oil, butter and ghee on a piece of cloth, as an offering to the deity. The people also carried wooden logs and piled them on the specific place meant for the same. The wood is used to observe the ritual of ‘Bennebatte Suduvudu’ ( burning the cloth smeared with butter and ghee) on Thursday night.

Chandan, a software engineer from Bengaluru, said the 3,000-feet high hill gives a wonderful trekking experience. He has been coming to the temple fair from the last three years with his friends.

Somappa from Chikkamagaluru said many people go back half-way, failing to climb the hill. He has climbed the hill ten times so far.

Lime juice and Badam milk were distributed to devotees on the way. Members of a voluntary group collected water bottles and plastic covers discarded by the devotees and put them into the dustbins.

Having a glimpse of the deity, the people visited the Deviramma temple in Mallenahalli. The temple was decked up for the annual fair. The KSRTC had deployed additional buses for the special day.