CHIKMAGALUR: "Dattamala Abhiyana", a prelude to the Datta Jayanti celebrations scheduled to be held in December, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal from October 17, concluded peacefully at the Dattatreya Peeta in Bababudangiri on Sunday amidst tight security.

Over 10,000 devotees dressed in saffron from different parts of the State braved the cold weather and bathed in Honnammanahalla Falls near Attigundi before trekking up the hill to have a "darshan" of the Dattapadukas (silver plated sandals), said to have been worn by Dattatreya during his penance in the cave.

Sri Chandrashekara Shivacharya Swamy of Shankaradevara Mutt and Sri Jayabasavananda Swamy of Basava Mandir, Sri Mahadevananda Swamy, Sri Madappa Swamy, Sri Atmananda Swamy, Sri Prabhananda Swamy, Sri Prahalada Swamy and Sri Subramanya Swamy of Gurudeva Ashram, Mysore, performed puja at the sanctum sanctorum before the devotees were allowed to have a "darshan".

Devotees had to stand in queue and pass through barricades erected at the entrance to the shrine.

Tight security arrangements had been made and the authorities did not face any problem in regulating vehicular traffic because the devotees left immediately after the "darshan". Annoyed by restrictions at "homa" and other practices, some devotees refused to deposit the "Irumudi" (consisting of a coconut, rice and other offerings) with the Muzrai Department officials.

They preferred to hand it over at a place specified by the Sangh Parivar near Honnammanahalla.

Inspector-General of Police (Western Range) Suresh Babu, Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta, and Superintendent of Police K. Madhukar Shetty, camped at the peeta to supervise the security arrangements.

C.T. Ravi, V. Sunil Kumar, Raghupathi Bhat, D.N. Jeevaraj and M.P. Kumaraswamy, MLAs, and Mahendra Kumar, convenor of the state unit of the Bajrang Dal, were present.

Mr. Sunil Kumar told presspersons that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will take a decision at its legislature party meeting on the steps to be taken to protest against the curbs imposed by the district administration.

Mr. Ravi urged the Government to find a permanent solution to the controversy. He wanted a Hindu priest to be appointed at the shrine and tombs to be removed from the area.

Mr. Mahendra Kumar said the authorities should note the large number of devotees attending the programme and allow homa and other practices.

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