The ever elusive Goddess to devotees

HUBLI: The Holeyamma Devi temple in Tabakada Honnalli village, Kalaghatagi taluk, is unique in that the idol of its presiding deity is not seen even by its priest and that no devotee enters the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The temple remains open for only four days annually, during Deepavali, when villagers conduct a jathra (fair).The temple has a tradition that dates back to a century when devotees from all over north Karnataka converge here, when its main door is opened a day before the Deepavali Amavasya (no moon before Deepavali).The first day is dedicated to cleaning and whitewashing the sanctorum by members of the priest’s family. The priest’s family is referred to as the ‘Devaramani’, and hail from the Valmiki community; they have been doing the seva (service) in the temple as part of the ‘Paryaya’ system for many decades.The idol of the presiding deity, even during the festival, cannot be seen as it is kept in a wooden box and and packed inside with a bunch of leaves. Devotees offer pooja to the deity.Another tradition unique to this temple is that no one is allowed to bring coconuts, flowers and fruits inside for pooja. Only edible oil is accepted as prasad. Also, during the temple fair, when the temple remains open throughout the day, no musical instruments are used.Thousands of devotees perform Lakshmi pooja in the temple during Amavasya. Devotees perform a daynight Jagaran, procession of bullock-carts and pay benediction to the goddess.Temple priest Basappa Devaramani told Express that his ancestors, including hi2s father late Tippanna Devaramani, have not seen the idol of goddess Holeyamma. “Tradition dictates that we perform pooja for only four days a year.”