BELAGAVI
The Yellamma Devi temple in Belagavi district, a popular pilgrimage centre among Goans, including Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and pilgrims from Karnataka and Maharashtra, has been shut for lakhs of devotees from Friday till October 31.
The temple has been closed fearing overcrowding of pilgrims during the Navaratri period before Dasara when lakhs of devotees from across the region throng Soundatti.
The CEO of the temple Ravi Kotargasti has advised pilgrims from Goa not to visit the temple during this period.
The Karnataka government has extended the closure of Yellamma temple from March 18 and which has been now strictly implemented from Friday till October 31.
The entry of people has been restricted, but the usual rituals are being performed by the priests inside regularly.
This is for the first time since its inception in the 9th century, that this popular temple will remain closed, solely due to the Covid pandemic.
“Never before had the administration been compelled to keep the temple closed. Except for the temporary halt of religious rituals for a while during the eclipses, the temple was never closed,” Kotargasti told The Goan.
The popularity of the temple is such that top Goan politicians, including Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, are ardent devotees of Yellamma Devi.
“Many Goan politicians frequent the temple with their intentions and till date, Yellamma Devi has fulfilled their petitions,” Kotargasti proudly added.
“While the temple was shut, we utilised about Rs 2 crore donated by followers of Yellamma Devi to develop infrastructure and amenities at the temple premises.”
“For centuries, Goddess Yellamma of Saudatti has been a home-deity of millions, irrespective of their caste and creed. Many of them are missing the rituals and prayers which they regularly performed due to the closure of temple for the devotees,” he added.
Meanwhile, the prolonged closure of the temple has also affected many petty businessmen in the locality, whose livelihood depends totally on the pilgrims visiting the temple.
A large number of small businessmen, shopkeepers, labourers and other people working on the temple area have submitted a memorandum to Soundatti MLA Anand Mamni, demanding financial support.
