Temple Festivities
Ramanagara
Makara Sankranti, the first Hindu festival of the year, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional fervour in Ramanagara on Thursday. Special prayers and community celebrations were organised at the Sri Balanjaneya Swamy Temple, located opposite the district deputy commissioner’s office, drawing a large number of devotees from the town and nearby areas.
On the occasion, special pujas were performed seeking prosperity and well-being for farmers and the public. As part of the festivities, sugarcane, field beans (avarekai), and groundnuts were distributed free of cost to devotees. The initiative aimed at symbolising gratitude towards farmers and celebrating the harvest season, which Makara Sankranti traditionally represents in Karnataka.
The temple premises witnessed the third consecutive year of the groundnut fair organised on the occasion of the festival. The celebrations began with offering naivedya to Lord Anjaneya, followed by the formal launch of the distribution programme. Devotees participated in large numbers, creating a festive and devotional atmosphere at the temple complex.
Former MLA A. Manjunath took part in the special puja and personally distributed sugarcane and groundnuts to devotees. Speaking to reporters, he appreciated the members of the Sri Balanjaneya Swamy Temple Seva Trust for continuously organising free distribution programmes over the last two years with the intention of supporting farmers. He expressed hope that the harvest festival of Sankranti, which symbolises abundance and prosperity, would bring positive change in everyone’s lives and ensure the overall prosperity of the state.
Ramanagara Municipal Council President K. Sheshadri also participated in the programme. He said the temple service committee has been consistently organising the distribution of avarekai, groundnuts, and sugarcane every year as part of Sankranti celebrations. He wished that, just as the Sun changes its course on this auspicious day, people’s lives too would move towards happiness, peace, and prosperity.
Several dignitaries and local leaders were present on the occasion, including social worker Lakshman, TAPCMS President Doddi Suresh, Ramanagara Development Authority member Praveen, JD(S) leaders Kumar Gooligowda, Mavinasasi Venkatesh, Adishakthihalli Chandrashekhar, members of the temple administration, folk artist Parthasarathi, and temple priest Shivaraju.
