News and Visuals : Anand Kumar Barkur
Barkur: The third-year Sri Ganeshotsava, organised under the auspices of the Rajadhani Raja Youth Club (Regd.) and the Public Sri Ganeshotsava Samiti, Barkur, concluded with great grandeur, drawing thousands of devotees for a series of religious, cultural and social service events held from September 14 to September 18, 2026.
Religious Rites and Cultural Programs
The festival was conducted under the priestly guidance of Vedamurthi Shravana Melantaru of Kachooru, Barkur, and featured a variety of religious and cultural programs alongside an annadana (community food) service that ran throughout the celebration..
Felicitation Ceremony Honours Local Achievers
On the evening of September 16, a religious assembly was held at which several dignitaries were present, including Kundapura MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi; Suggi Sudhakar Shetty, president of the Panchalingeshwara Temple Renovation Committee; working president B. Shantharama Shetty; advocate Vijaykumar Shetty Havaralu; Sampath Kumar Shetty; Birthi Rajesh Shetty; Ashwin Kamath of Sri Durga Traders, Barkur; Vedamurthi Shravan Melantaru of Kachooru, Barkur; Ganesh Salyan; Ganeshotsava Samiti president Rakshith Pujari; Srinivas Shetty; and other notable guests.
At the felicitation ceremony, achievers from various fields were recognised and honoured. Among those felicitated were social worker and blood donor Sandeep Amin Koorady; Ashwitha of Ranganakeri, Barkur, who received an honorary doctorate from Mysore University; diving expert Ishwar Malpe; social worker and Shourya Unit representative Vimal Pujari of Hosala, Barkur; journalist and media reporter Shivarama Acharya Bandimath; Anand Kumar of Barkur, administrator of the "Nammooru Barkur" Facebook group; and advocate Vijaykumar Shetty Havaralu, who sponsored the Ganesha idol for the festival.
Massive Blood Donation Camp
On September 17, a large-scale voluntary blood donation camp was organised in joint collaboration between the Rajadhani Raja Youth Club and the Public Sri Ganeshotsava Samiti, Barkur, along with the Shourya Disaster Management Unit of Brahmavar Taluk, the Abhayahasta Charitable Trust (Regd.), Udupi, the Rotary Club of Barkur, the Brahmashri Narayanaguru-Koti Chennayya organisation, and the Blood Bank of the District Hospital, Ajjarkad. The camp saw an enthusiastic response from local residents and volunteers.
Grand Procession Draws Thousands
The highlight of the celebrations was the disciplined and magnificent procession marking the third year of the public Sri Ganeshotsava. The procession began at the Rajadhani Raja Ganesha Mantapa, proceeded through Barkur Horadi Cross, and arrived at Barkur Kallu Chappara, where it received an unprecedented welcome from thousands of devotees who had gathered along the route. Floral tributes were offered to the Ganesha idol at this juncture. The procession then continued on to Kachooru before returning and making its way to the Sri Batte Vinayaka Temple in Barkur.
The idol of Lord Ganesha, mounted on a specially decorated vehicle, moved through streets lined on both sides with thousands of devotees who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the deity. Adding to the vibrancy of the procession were various dance and bhajana (devotional singing) troupes, talim (traditional martial arts) demonstrations, a chande (traditional drum) ensemble, and eye-catching tableaux, all of which enhanced the festive spirit of the event.
Idol Immersion
The celebrations culminated with the immersion (visarjana) of the Ganesha idol in the lake at Barkur Kote Keri, bringing the five-day festival to a close.
Organisers Express Gratitude
In a statement issued after the event, the Rajadhani Raja Youth Club (Regd.) and the Public Sri Ganeshotsava Samiti, Barkur, declared the 2026 Ganeshotsava celebrations a resounding success and extended heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed.
The organisers thanked all devotees who attended and added lustre to the event; all donors who supported the annadana and pooja rituals; the various associations and organisations that supported the volunteers; the tableau, chande, and bhajana groups along with the sound and lighting crew who participated in the immersion procession; the Shourya Disaster Unit of Barkur and the Police Department for their cooperation; and the Mogaveera Yuvaka Sangha team of Bennekudru for their assistance during the idol's immersion.
Special gratitude was also extended to all the elders, youth, and women of the village who contributed directly or indirectly to the success of the festival.
"We express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you," the statement read, "and hope that your love, trust, and cooperation continue in the days to come."
The statement was issued on behalf of the President and all members of the Rajadhani Raja Youth Club (Regd.), Public Sri Ganeshotsava Samiti, Barkur.
