Historic Hasanamba temple opens in Hassan

The famous and historic Hasanamba temple, which opens once in a year, in the city opened for devotees for 13 days on Thursday.

Hassan city is decorated with colourful illumination, buntings and banners, in view of the Hasanamba Jatra Mahotsava. The temple will be opened up to October 29.

The district administration has made all arrangements for the festival, which attracts lakhs of people from different parts of the state.

As per the custom and tradition, the festival is held after the full moon in the month of Ashwayuja in Kannada calendar. The festival was started with Nanjaraj Urs, a descendant of the Arasu community, felling the banana stalk. The doors of the sanctum sanctorum was opened on Thursday.

A chariot, depicting the story of Saptamatrukas and Hasanamba Ratha will travel in all seven taluks of the district from October 18. The puranas of the deity would be explained at prominent circles of towns and villages and, the artistes will render.

The doors will be closed on October 29, as per the custom. Hassan district administration has made arrangements for smooth conduct of the Hasanamba festival, which attracts lakhs of people from different parts of the State.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has introduced additional city buses from railway station and bus-stand to temple premises as thousands of people are expected to visit the temple from across the State. The district administration has deployed policemen to ensure smooth conduct of the event. The police have installed CCTV cameras on the temple premises to keep a vigil..

As the temple is opened only during this festival, people from distant places make it a point to visit Hassan on the occasion. Public will not be allowed into the temple on October 17 (the first day) and October 29 (the last day). Excluding the pooja timings, the temple will remain open throughout the day.

The Tourism Department has arranged special package trips for the benefit of those visiting Hassan during the Hasanamba festival.

The temple was built in the 12th century.