Over 31 Lakh Devotees Visit Hasanamba Temple for Annual Closure Rituals
Significant Attendance at Hasanamba Temple
Photo: IANS
Bengaluru, Nov 11: This year, the Hasanamba temple in Hassan district attracted over 31 lakh devotees, with the annual closure rituals starting on Wednesday.
The temple's sanctum was officially closed and sealed at noon, marking the conclusion of the annual darshan period. It will remain closed until it reopens next year, in accordance with tradition.
To accommodate the influx of devotees seeking blessings from Goddess Hasanamba, the district administration extended public darshan hours until 3 a.m. on Wednesday.
Officials reported that the temple authorities collected Rs 25.36 crore from the sale of entry tickets and laddu prasada during this darshan period.
Chief Priest Nagaraj and his team conducted traditional rituals, including Naivedya Samarpana and Alankara Visarjana, prior to sealing the sanctum.
Present at the closure ceremony were Excise Minister and Hassan District In-charge Minister Shivalinge Gowda, along with MPs Shreyas Patel and Sunil Bose.
During the event, Chief Priest Nagaraj emphasized that the sanctum was closed at noon, adhering to long-standing traditions.
He stated, "As in previous years, we will continue the rituals that have been followed for generations. The Sudheekarana ritual was performed on the first day, where the goddess was adorned with special attire and ornaments. Today, these decorations were removed, followed by the necessary pujas."
Nagaraj also mentioned that prayers were offered for the goddess's protection and blessings for the community until the temple reopens next year.
He expressed, "We will pray for the goddess's protection until next year. Ultimately, everything is in her hands, and we must remain humble in our emotions."
In line with age-old customs, the temple doors will stay sealed until the next annual opening, when devotees will again have the chance to see the deity.
The Hasanamba Temple, located in Hassan, Karnataka, showcases a historic 12th-century Dravidian and Hoysala-style gopuram (tower) and structure.
It is also known for the belief that a ghee lamp lit before the closure continues to burn throughout the year, and that offerings placed inside the sealed sanctum remain preserved until the next opening, claims that have faced scrutiny from rationalist groups.
Garlands and cooked rice offerings (naivedya) placed inside the closed sanctum are believed to stay fresh and warm, defying spoilage for nearly a year.
These assertions have sparked ongoing debate and skepticism, with rationalist organizations like the Bharat Gnan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS) frequently challenging these claims and advocating for scientific investigations.
The temple, dedicated to Goddess Hasanamba, opens only once a year during the Deepavali/Diwali season, typically for about 7 to 12 days, starting from the Thursday after the Ashwija full moon to Bali Padyami.
For the 2026 festival season, the Hasanamba Temple ceremonially opened on October 29.