Bagina Offering at Honnamma Lake

Somwarpet, Sept. 15: Centuries ago, when the region known as 'Elusavira Seeme' faced a severe drought and the village's massive lake ran completely dry, a divine figure named Honnamma—revered as a water deity—sacrificed herself by jumping into the lake. On the occasion of the Gauri festival, hundreds of people offered *Bagina* (a traditional offering of auspicious items) to this historic lake, while thousands participated in the Swarna Gauri festival by offering prayers to Goddess Honnamma.

It is remarkable that Honnamma Lake—named after the virtuous Honnamma, whose legend involves sacrificing herself for the village's welfare—has never run dry since that time. While special prayers are offered to this perennial lake during the Swarna Gauri festival, another unique feature of the occasion is the arrival of hundreds of newlywed couples to offer *Bagina*.

The ceremony of offering *Bagina* to the historically renowned Honnamma Lake, located within the Doddamalthe Gram Panchayat limits near Somwarpet, was conducted with great devotion and reverence in the presence of thousands of devotees.

It has been a long-standing tradition for thousands of people—including hundreds of newlywed couples—to visit Honnamma Lake every year on the day of the Gauri festival to offer *Bagina* and pray for universal well-being. On the morning of the Swarnagauri festival, following various religious rituals...

Special prayers were offered at the temple dedicated to Goddess Honnamma and Lord Basaveshwara. Subsequently, a *Bagina*—an offering comprising turmeric, vermilion, *bichchole* (traditional black beads), blouse pieces, a mirror, bangles, flowers, and *phala-tambula* (fruits and betel leaves)—was placed on the 'Bangaradakallina Katte' (Golden Stone Platform) located next to the temple. Members of the Honnamma family were the first to offer this *Bagina*.

Following this, the temple committee dedicated to Sri Siddeshwara, Basaveshwara, and Swarnagauri Honnamma offered *Bagina* to the lake.

Dignitaries who offered *Bagina* on this occasion included Madikeri MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda; K.P. Chandrakala, former Chairperson of the State Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board; M.B. Chandrashekhar, President of the Doddamalthe Grama Panchayat Committee; and former President Udaya, among others.

Devotees visiting the temple climbed the 900-foot-high Gavi Betta (Gavi Hill) to admire the natural beauty. Arrangements for *Annadana* (free distribution of food) were made by the temple committee for thousands of devotees.

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