-Anand Kumar Barkur
The prestigious Sri Panchalingeswara Temple in Kotekeri, Barkur, has announced its annual Rathothsava (Barkur Habba) along with a series of religious and cultural celebrations spanning over a week. The temple management has extended a warm invitation to devotees to participate in the grand festivities.
Festival Schedule
March 30, 2025 (Sunday) - The celebrations will commence with the Dhwajarohana ceremony (flag hoisting), marking the official beginning of the festival. On this auspicious day, the processional deity of Sri Panchalingeswara will be brought from the Moodukeri Sri Someshwara Temple.
March 30 to April 4, 2025 - The festival will continue with various religious ceremonies including Nagarothsava (town procession) and Bali Seva at different locations.
April 4, 2025 (Friday) - A special procession will take place to the Moodukeri Sri Someshwara Temple. The event will feature captivating Chande (drum) performances by the Giri Balaga group from Kunjaru and an impressive Taleemu (martial arts) demonstration by members of the Sri Veera Maruti Vyayama Shale from Barkur.
April 5, 2025 (Saturday) - The highlight of the festival, the grand Brahma Rathothsava (Barkur Habba), will be conducted under the guidance of the temple's Paryaya Tantriya, Vedamoorthi Sri Krishna Somayaji. The festivities will include various religious rituals performed according to traditional customs.
April 6, 2025 (Sunday) - Morning ceremonies will include Prabhu Prabhodothsava, Ashtavadhana, Yugadi Phala, Ekadasha Rudrabhisheka, and Tulabhara services. The evening will feature cultural programs from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, including devotional songs by Sri Shrisha G. Bhat from Barkur and his ensemble.
Later in the evening at 7:00 PM, there will be a Yakshagana performance titled "Raja Rudra Kopa" by the renowned Perdoor Mela troupe, featuring:
- Bhagavata (Singer): Sri Raghavendra Achar Jansale
- Maddala (Percussion): Sri Sunil Bhandari Kadatoka
- Chande (Drums): Sri Sujan Haladi
- Lead performers:
- Rudra Kopa: Sri Udaya Hegde Kadabala
- Chitrakshi: Sudheer Uppooru
- Ajji: Ravindra Devadiga
- Raktajangha: Vishwanath Tombattu
- Narada: Manju Choukula Makki
- Chandra Sena: Raju Poojari
- Satya Sheele: Umesh Totadi
- Sakhi: Sridhar Kudla
- Raktakeshi: Bhaskar
April 7, 2025 (Monday) - The concluding ceremonies will include Choornothsava, Okuli Seva, and a special Avabhratha Snana (ceremonial bath) for the deity at the Sri Mahalingeswara Temple in Chaulikere.
Participation and Contributions
The temple administration has cordially invited all devotees to participate in these religious and cultural events in large numbers. They encourage devotees to contribute with their time, presence, and financial support to receive the blessings of Sri Panchalingeswara.
For those wishing to make financial contributions, the temple has provided the following banking details:
- Canara Bank, Barkur Branch
- IFSC Code: CNRB0010118
- Account Number: 01182200007223
Contributors are requested to inform the temple about their donations via letter or phone so that proper acknowledgment can be made.
For further information, interested individuals may contact: 9880075524
The management committee of Sri Panchalingeswara Temple looks forward to welcoming devotees to this grand celebration of faith, tradition, and culture.