Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, July 24: Despite continuous rainfall, devotees flocked to prominent temples in Bantwal taluk on Thursday to observe Aati Amavasya, marked by teertha snana (sacred bath) and special rituals at various pilgrimage centres, including the famed Karinja Sri Karinjeshwara Temple and the scenic Narahari Parvatha Sri Sadashiva Temple.

At the holy Gadateertha pond of Karinja temple, devotees—including men, women, and children—lined up in large numbers from early morning. They offered baagina (ritual offerings), performed the sacred bath, and had darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati before offering special pujas.

Local groups such as Omkara Friends Madhwa, Omkara Mahila Unit, and Omkara Shri Sharada Bhajana Mandira, Bengattodi, distributed traditional herbal kashaya made from the bark of the hale mara (wild fig tree) to the devotees.

Notable attendees at the temple included temple management committee president Veerendra Amin Vagga, former minister Ramanath Rai, district religious council member Devappa Kulal, former ZP member Padmashekhar Jain, Kudroli temple treasurer Padmaraj R Poojary, members of the management committee, and several dignitaries.

Mass turnout at Narahari Parvatha

At the pilgrimage destination of Narahari Parvatha, hundreds of devotees arrived early to take a sacred bath in the four temple ponds named Shankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma. Devotees, undeterred by heavy rain, ascended the hill with umbrellas in hand to offer prayers.

Under the leadership of Dr Atmaranjan Rai, the temple's renovation committee, along with administrative trustee Dr Prashanth Marla and the temple management board, made elaborate arrangements for the devotees.

Long queues of pilgrims were seen at dawn. It is widely believed that bathing in the holy ponds of Narahari Parvatha on Aati Amavasya brings relief from all ailments. In keeping with this belief, devotees from nearby villages arrived early, performed the sacred bath, had darshan of the deity, and offered special pujas with great devotion.