Traditional village festival celebrated with grandeur after 30 years

Anekal

The village of Menasiganahalli, under the Vanakanahalli Gram Panchayat in Anekal taluk, witnessed vibrant celebrations of the village deity’s festival (ooru habba), held with grandeur after a long gap of 30 years.

To mark the occasion, the village was beautifully decorated with electric lighting. Women devotees offered tambittu deepaarati (traditional oil lamp offerings) to the village deities as part of the religious festivities, expressing their devotion.

The decorated deepaaratis were carried in a procession through the main streets of Menasiganahalli before being ceremonially offered to the deities. Veeragase folk artists performed rituals at households, with villagers welcoming them and offering prayers in reverence.

The highlight of the celebrations was the fire-walking ritual, where Veeragase performers marched through the streets and leapt over a sacred fire pit set up in front of the Basaveshwara Temple. Inspired by their devotion, several villagers too walked across the fire pit.

A majestic karaga procession was also held as part of the festivities. Residents from nearby villages flocked to Menasiganahalli to take part in the historic and spiritually significant festival, reviving local traditions and communal bonding.