Hassan Minister holds meeting on temple premises to finalise expenses for Hasanamba festival

Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda conducting bhumipooja for works related to the Hasanamba festival, in Hassan on Sunday (October 18). | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, who is also in charge of Hassan district, on Sunday (October 18) held a meeting with district administration officers to review the estimates for works related to the Hasanamba festival.The meeting was held on the temple premises in the presence of the public and the media. The Minister went through each item listed and suggested changes. He said expenditure should be kept to a minimum this year because the State was facing severe drought, and asked officers to be vigilant about the money spent on arrangements.Comparing the festival with the Dasara celebrations in Mysuru, Mr. Gowda said the government released special funds to departments for Dasara, whereas the entire expenditure on the Hasanamba festival was met from contributions by devotees. “We have to be on the side of the devotees and the deity. We are not here to favour contractors,” he said.During the review, an officer proposed an expenditure of about ₹25 lakh on a dog show, an exhibition and other related activities. An irate Mr. Gowda called the event unnecessary and asked the officer to tear up the proposal.Speaking to reporters, the Minister said the tender process was being conducted transparently in the presence of devotees and the media. “We have nothing to hide. The district administration will publish the accounts as a booklet after the festival,” he said.Shreyas Patel, Hassan MP, Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari, Superintendent of Police Shubhanwita, Zilla Panchayat CEO Shubham Shukla, and Assistant Commissioner Jagadish Gangannavar, who is also the temple’s administrator, were among those present.The Hasanamba festival will begin on October 29, the day when the doors of the historic Hasanamba temple will be opened. Only during this festival are the doors of the temple opened. The festival comes to an end on November 11. Published - October 18, 2026 06:37 pm IST