News n Visuals : Anand Kumar Barkur
Barkur: The 59th Sarvajanika Shri Ganeshotsava, organised by the Sarvajanika Shri Ganeshotsava Samiti of the Shri Pattabhirama Chandra Temple in Barkur, was held from September 14 to 16, 2026. The three-day festival combined religious and cultural programmes with a community feast (anna santarpane) and drew large crowds of devotees.
New Silver-Plated Prabhavali Unveiled
The idol of Lord Vinayaka worshipped during this year's festival was brought to the venue in a ceremonial procession, together with a newly made silver-plated prabhavali, the decorative arch that frames the deity.
The prabhavali was offered as a service (seva) by Shri B. Ananta Kogga Nayak of BOXTECH, Bengaluru. It was crafted by Shrikanth Acharya, a well-known sculptor and craftsman of Barkur.
Cultural Programmes
The festival's cultural programmes began on the evening of Sunday, September 13, when the Shri Mahaganapathi Yakshagana Mandali (Regd.) of Nadur, Mandarthi, Udupi district, staged the Yakshagana Shiva Dhoota Panjurli.
On September 15, Shri Krishna Kalavidaru of Udupi, a state award-winning troupe, performed a suspenseful and humorous Kannada social drama. The Shri Jnanashakti Mahila Balaga of Barkur, Brahmavar taluk, also performed a bhajan seva.
Immersion Procession
The disciplined and grand immersion procession set out from the Shri Pattabhirama Chandra Temple in Barkur and travelled as far as Shri Durga Traders. It then returned and continued to the Shri Batte Vinayaka Temple.
Lord Ganesha travelled on a specially decorated vehicle, and thousands of devotees lined the route to watch. The procession featured striking tableaux, a bombe balaga (traditional giant puppet troupe) and chende drumming, all of which added to the spectacle.
The idol was immersed at Kotekeri in Barkur, bringing the festival to a close.
Committee Expresses Gratitude
The Samiti described the 2026 celebrations as a great success and thanked everyone who contributed. Its thanks went to:
- The devotees who attended and added to the occasion's splendour
- The donors who supported the community feast and the pooja rituals
- The volunteers, and the associations and organisations that assisted them
- The participants in the immersion procession: the puppet troupes, tableau teams, chende troupes, bhajan mandalis, and the sound and lighting crews
- The Shaurya Vipatthu Ghataka (disaster response unit) of Barkur and the police department
- The elders, youth and women of the town who helped directly and indirectly
The Samiti also hoped that the community's affection, trust and cooperation would continue in the years ahead.
Issued by the President and All Members, Sarvajanika Shri Ganeshotsava Samiti, Shri Pattabhirama Chandra Temple, Barkur.