Undeterred by coronavirus death, lakhs attend chariot festival in Kalaburagi

Kalaburagi: The death of a Kalaburagi man due to complications arising from COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) infection failed to deter devotees from attending the annual Sharanabaveshwara chariot festival in the heart of the city today.

Deputy commissioner B. Sharath had appealed to devotees no to come to Kalaburagi as there is a threat of the COVID-19 virus spreading.

But the appeal made no difference to the influx of devotees. The numbers of devotees at this year’s chariot festival was more or less the same as in past years, said Basavaraj Deshmukh, secretary of the Sharanabasaveshwara Temple in Kalaburagi.

Every year, the Sharanabasaveshwara chariot festival draws lakhs of devotees from various part of the state and also from Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

On the roads leading to Kalaburagi, police tried their best to persuade deter devotees. Temple authorities too advanced the chariot pulling timing from 6 pm to 3 pm.

“The puja was performed as per traditions and there was a huge presence of devotees,” Basavaraj Deshmukh said, adding that the numbers of devotees swelled after 5.30 pm and a huge queue was seen to offer prayers to the deity. The chariot fest went off peacefully.