Belagavi families mark Dussehra with traditional deity processions

Families from the Patil community in Belagavi's old city district marked the festival of Dussehra with traditional pooja rituals on Thursday. The festivities centered on ceremonial processions featuring palanquins that carried revered deities worshipped during the occasion.

Among the sacred figures paraded during the celebrations were Venkatramna, the presiding deity of several temples across Karnataka, and Maruti, the monkey god worshipped across Hindu communities. The processions also included Jotiba, another significant figure in regional religious practice, along with the Aapti tree, which holds symbolic importance in Dussehra observances.

The festival, which commemorates the victory of good over evil in Hindu tradition, saw multiple generations of family members participate in the religious ceremonies. Such processions remain a significant part of how communities across southern India observe Dussehra, blending devotional practices with cultural heritage.

Belagavi, located in northern Karnataka, has maintained these traditional celebration methods for generations, with various communities organizing similar festivities throughout the city during the festival season.