Kudala Sangama sees sharp drop in footfall for second consecutive year

Bagalkot: Last year it was floods and this time it is Covid-19. Kudala Sangama, an important pilgrimage centre of Lingayats, where 12th century social reformer Basavanna spent his childhood and believed to have attained ‘lingaikya,’ has seen a sharp decline in pilgrims during Shravana month for the second consecutive year.
About four lakh people used to visit the temple in Shravana every year to take holy dip at the confluence of Krishna and Malaprabha rivers. The spiritual discourses organised in the evening during the month were also quite popular. Last year too, the shrine had witnessed poor footfall due to floods as the pilgrimage centre submerged in water.
This time, it is the fear of Covid-19 pandemic has kept the people away. Kudala Sangama Development Board (KSDB) has stopped abhisheka, tulabhara and all other rituals. Entry has been banned to Aikya Mantap. “Only darshan is allowed between 8am to 12 noon and 3pm to 5pm. Devotees are not even allowed to offer coconut, camphor,” stated one of priests at the temple.
Shankar Madiwalar, a book stall owner, said that the temple submerged in river on August 9, 2019. “It badly affected our livelihood as the tourist inflow stopped. Just when we were recovering Covid-19 has come to haunt us,” he said. Most of the shopkeepers here have shut shop as they are unable to pay rent and many are on the verge of closing.
Karasangayya Gudi, another shopkeeper, said that each one of them lost material worth Rs 2-3 lakh during floods last year. “We have requested the government to waive rent for six months and are waiting for a positive response. Our life has become miserable and we are seeking divine help,” he said.
According to an estimation, about 100 shops had an average turnover of Rs 10,000 a day in Shravana. And the Kudala Sangama village would witness a business of Rs 3 crore in the holy month, including services like hospitality and transportation.