In the heart of Karnataka, there exists a unique temple that only opens its doors once a year—during Diwali. The Hasanamba temple, located in the town of Hassan, is a hidden gem that attracts thousands of devotees each year. It was built in the 12th century by the Hoysala king to honour Devi Durga. Unlike most others, the Hasanamba Temple is almost always closed throughout the year except on Diwali.
A temple of mystery and devotion
The Hasanamba Temple is an abode for the goddess Hasanamba, a local deity revered by the people of Hassan. The temple is open for five days during the Diwali festival in which devotees worship and take blessings. It is a secluded sacred place, and its mystique makes it a pilgrim centre not only in Karnataka but throughout the country. The fact that the temple opens for Diwali has added great cultural significance to it.
Evidence of the Devi’s presence
Every year, before the shrine closes, a ceremonial ritual takes place where a ghee lamp is lit, accompanied by fresh flowers and cooked rice offered as prasad. The astonishing part of this tradition is that when the temple reopens after a year, the ghee lamp is found still glowing, the flowers remain fresh, and the prasad is untouched, creating an extraordinary and miraculous sight for devotees. It is considered to be a miracle and badge of Godly presence in the temple.
This festival of lights stands for the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. People of Hassan visit Hasanamba during this time to seek the blessings of prosperity, health, and spiritual well-being. The temple’s annual opening has made it an important part of the regional Diwali celebrations, blending ancient rituals with modern-day festivities. During the five days when the temple is open, the deity is ritually worshipped by the temple priests with special prayers offered.
Cultural and religious relevance
The concept of temple opening on Diwali alone exemplifies not only a logistics practice but a cultural one also. It is closely associated with the agricultural calendar, as it concludes the harvest season, which in turn coincides with Diwali. For many farmers and rural families in the region, the occasion is a way of thanking god for a good harvest and seeking blessings for future prosperity. In this way, the Hasanamba Temple is not just a place of worship but also a cultural landmark connecting people to their own land and traditions as well as the divine.
The statue that moves
It is also believed that one of the stone statues within the temple moves every year toward the main goddess. As the statue moves inch by inch toward the deity, people wait for the day when it will finally merge with her, an occurrence believed to mark the end of Kaliyuga.
While the Hasanamba Temple is not as well-known as other temples in Karnataka, its brief annual opening during Diwali has made it a must-visit.
Photo Credit: Prakash Hassan and wikipedia
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