Kanakagiri utsav postponed at the last minute

Koppal: The Kanakagiri Utsav, scheduled to be held on May 16 and 17 at the historic Kanakachalapthi temple site, was abruptly postponed on Tuesday night despite elaborate preparations by the district administration.

DC Suresh B Ittnal, ADC Sidrameshwar and SP Ram L Arasiddi, along with other officials, had been overseeing arrangements for the past several days. On Tuesday evening, the DC also addressed a press conference detailing the itinerary for the event.

However, sources said that district minister Shivaraj Tangadagi orally instructed the DC around 9pm, on Tuesday, to postpone the event. Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who was expected to inaugurate the utsav, has reportedly given June 10 as his available date, prompting the sudden decision to defer the utsav.

The move left officials in a difficult position. For the first time, a drone show had been planned as part of the celebrations, and a Mumbai-based team had already arrived, and begun rehearsals. The district administration had already spent lakhs of rupees printing invitations for the utsav, many of which are now likely to go waste.

Officials, including the DC, were scheduled to leave for Bengaluru on Wednesday to invite chief minister Siddaramaiah, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, other public representatives and senior government officials. District police chief and Kanakagiri officials were at the venue preparing security arrangements, even on Tuesday.

The postponement has disappointed residents and organisers alike. Though authorities are indicating that the event may be held in June, concerns remain, as the monsoon season is expected to begin by then.