Hundreds of devotees gathered in Naguvanahalli village near Srirangapatna on Saturday for the fourth annual Siddappaji Kandaaya festival, a day-long celebration of devotion and community ritual that drew worshippers from surrounding villages.
Siddappaji Kandaaya festival brings procession and pujas
The festivities began with a ceremonial procession from the Anjaneyaswami temple beside the Bangalore–Mysore highway to the village’s Siddappaji temple. Devotees accompanied the kandaaya (sacred palanquin) and a basava in a vibrant parade along the principal streets, with traditional percussion and leather-drum musicians lending momentum to the march.
Throughout the route, villagers performed customary offerings, including incense and lamp services. The procession was marked by frequent stops for collective worship as residents and visitors paid homage. On arrival at the temple, priests conducted special pujas and adorned the deity with elaborate decorations for the occasion.
A feature of the programme was the Chandra Mandala ceremony, which attracted particular attention among the ritual events. Organisers also arranged a community meal for attendees, ensuring devotees and visitors were provided with food as part of the festival’s customary hospitality.
Local and regional leaders joined the celebrations. Among those taking part were MLA Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, BJP leader Induwalu Sacchidananda, Siddappaji Temple Trust chairman Swami, trust secretary Ravi and treasurer Suresh. Other notable participants included joint secretary Nagaraju, Vishwakarma community leader Ramanujachaar, Block Congress president N. Prakash, senior patron Prakashanna, junior patron Narayanappa, and former NDCC Bank director N. V. Chaluvaraju. Several local organisers and volunteers were acknowledged for their role in managing the procession and rituals.
Organisers said the event aims to preserve local religious practice while strengthening community bonds. The procession and temple rites offered an opportunity for devotees from neighbouring villages to join in collective worship, reinforcing social ties across the taluk.
In addition to religious observances, the festival has practical importance for the village economy. Small-scale vendors and performers benefited from increased footfall, and the sight of processional large crowds brought a vibrant atmosphere to otherwise quiet residential streets.
Despite being a local event, the Siddappaji Kandaaya festival reflects a continued interest in sustaining regional traditions. The organisers emphasised inclusivity, inviting participants from across age groups and neighbouring settlements. Volunteers coordinated logistics, crowd movement and the distribution of food, while temple trustees oversaw the ritual schedule.
As the fourth consecutive annual celebration, this year’s festival affirmed the event’s place on the village calendar. Attendees described the day as spiritually uplifting and important for maintaining community continuity. With plans to continue the programme, organisers hope the festival will grow steadily while retaining its devotional and communal character.
Photographs from the event depict the procession, decorated deity and the congregation at the temple; these images capture the colourful and participatory nature of the celebration.
Key Takeaways:
- The Siddappaji Kandaaya festival, now in its fourth year, was held in Naguvanahalli near Srirangapatna with hundreds of devotees attending.
- A procession from the Anjaneyaswami temple along the Bangalore–Mysore highway carried the kandaaya and basava through the village, accompanied by music, lamps and offerings.
- Special pujas, a Chandra Mandala ceremony and community food distribution were held at the Siddappaji temple.
- Local leaders and temple trustees attended, reinforcing the festival’s role in community and cultural life.
