Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (SP)

Chikmagalur, Dec 21: Hostile weather, demand to allow the idol of Lord Dattatreya inside the Datta cave, and Atmananda Swamiji’s meditation in the cave that lasted for an hour, were the salient features of Datta Jayanti celebrations, which concluded at Bababudangiri Hills near here on Monday December 20.

Extremely chilly weather and thick fog had enveloped the cave shrine on Monday. For some time, the devotees demanded to allow the idol of Lord Dattatreya they had brought from Aldoor, inside the cave. After some verbal frictions with the policemen, the devotees relented after organizers intervened, and the devotees abandoned the ‘Dattamala’ they were wearing, at the site, and offered ‘Irumudi’ brought with them.

Since early morning, baring chill and windy conditions, thousands of devotees thronged the Datta cave and had the darshan of the Padukes kept there. The cave had been closed for visitors since the last two years because of repairs, and the devotees were in a jubilant mood at getting an opportunity to offer respects to the Datta Padukes. Blowing wind and extreme chill, of course, dampened the spirits of devotees to some extent. Religious rituals were conducted without much fanfare.

The fact that Atmananda Swamiji of Sridhar Ashram, who promised to come out of the cave in five minutes, sat in meditation for an hour, gave anxious moments to the organizers as well as the policemen. He was deep in meditation, and did not respond to the efforts by devotees to coax him to come out. Later, officials went in and brought him out.

Because of inefficient handling of transport, traffic was thrown out of gear for a prolonged period.  Local MLA, C T Ravi, informed the media persons that he will urge the government to pursue the matter relating to the cave which is pending with the Supreme Court, and ensure early end to the Bababudangiri-Datta Peetha dispute. He said that issues like appointment of Hindu priests, installation of Datta idol etc., are the issues which are pending to be settled by the judiciary.  He exuded confidence that the verdict will favour the fact that Datta Peeta was present at the site, as evidenced by various records. He said he would have been happy if Chief Minister, Yeddyurappa, had visited the shrine. He explained that the area is proposed to be developed with help from tourism department at a cost of Rs 12 crore.

Western range inspector general of police, Alok Mohan, deputy commissioner, Dr Channappa Gowda, district superintendent of police (SP), Vikaskumar Vikas, revenue sub-divisional officer, K A Dayanand, and additional SP, Mitra Heraje, supervised the law and order situation.