Lakshadeepotsava at Yediyur today

Yediyur village in the taluk is all set for Lakshadeepotsava.

The famed Siddhalingeshwaraswamy temple at Yediyur, a prominent pilgrim centre for Lingayats, will be lit up with thousands of oil lamps on Saturday.

Hundreds of devotees from across the state are throwing the pilgrim centre to take part in the religious ceremony.

Veteran freedom fighter H S Doreswamy will inaugurate the festivity. Siddhalingeshwaraswamy Amateur Art Association and Vishwakarma Samaja district director Kodandaramachar will present a day and night theatre performance.

The first Lakshadeepotsava was held in Yediyur in 1985-86 when D Nagarajaiah was the MLA. The then temple committee administrative officer Mali Patil Basavarajappa and deputy commissioner A P Joshi were instrumental in organising the event. Thontada Siddalinga Swami of Gadag Dambala Math supported the festivity. Over the years, the annual Lakshadeepotsava of Yediyur Siddhalingeshwaraswamy has gained popularity with the support of thousands of devotees and donors.

Kendada Shanmukhappa of Koppal has been donating two lakh Battis for the traditional oil lamps every year. The descendants of Siddhabasappa Shetty donate oil. Earlier, lamps were lit on areca nut sheaths. But later MLA B B Ramaswamy Gowda provided steel lamps for the festivity.

Earlier, Rs 11 was collected each devotee to light a lamp at the temple. Now, it has been increased to Rs 35.

A mystic-saint

The social revolution initiated by the Sharanas in the 12th century was revived in the 15th century. Under the leadership of Yathi Siddhalingeshwaraswamy, a group of 700 Viraktas and three thousand Charamurthys toured the whole country and disseminated the messages of the Sharanas by establishing Virakta Maths at different places.

Siddhalingesharaswamy was the voice of the suppressed sections of the society. He eradicated inequality in the society and also created awareness of societal life by giving Lingadeekshe to Shoodras. He was widely known for miracles.

Mass feeding service

Thontada Siddhalingeshwara Kainkarya Dasoha Seva Sangha of Yediyur is providing food to the devotees, who arrive in large numbers every day, from the last 50 years with the support of the devotees and the donors. At least 5,000 devotees have food here every day. This number increases to 50,000 on the occasion of Lakshadeepotsava. A fund of Rs 2.5 crore has been kept aside for this service.

A Dasoha Bhavana has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore after SR Bommai sanctioned a piece of land for the purpose when he was the revenue minister.

Directions

Yediyur is located at distance of 20 km from Kunigal. It lies on NH 75. Devotees can reach Yediyur through Yeshwantpur-Hassan rail route. Bus connectivity is also good.

Those who visit Yediyur can also pay a visit to Jaladhigere Chikkamma, Doddamma, Hatti Lakkamma temples, Markonahalli dam and Kaggere.