The festival celebrates 12th century saint, Siddheshwar, with a 15-day cultural fair
The annual Gadda Yatra in Solapur, Maharashtra celebrated for the past 900 years, honours the spiritual leader, Siddheshwar. The festival attracts lakhs of devotees from the adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka as well. The perfect symbol of communal harmony and social equity, it continues to be celebrated without political motives or government grants or aids.
The 15-day cultural fair begins on Shakambari Purnima, the full moon day in the Hindu month of Magh, which fell on January 12 this year. The fair which is organised by people from all castes and religions ends on the following amavasya (no moon night).
Siddheshwar, Siddharameshwar or Siddharam was one of the five acharyas or saints, and a great contributor to the Lingayat faith, also known as Veershaivasim. A great mystic and Kannada poet, he was a part of Basayanna's Veerashaiva revolution during the 12th century. Regarded as one of the most respected poets, he wrote 68,000 vachanas or sayings. He was a great saint who preached the teachings of Shri Basaweshwara.
Dr Iresh Swami, the former vice-chancellor of Solapur University compares the Siddheshwar Yatra to the Pandharpur annual pilgrimage. Talking about the saint, he says, "When a drought affected Solapur, this 12th century Shivyogi dug a lake with the help of 4,000 disciples who are referred to as Shivsharanas."
Inspired by his teachings, a young girl, Kumbharkannya, wished to marry the saint but he denied the offer, instead giving her permission to marry his yogadanda or yoga stick.
One of the prominent celebrations during the Siddheshwar Yatra commemorates this wedding, wherein the Nandi dhwajas (decorated bamboo poles) are presumed to be the bride and groom and taken out in a procession.
Some of the other rituals performed during the festival include Tailabhishek which is performed on the first day, Akshata on the second day and Hom on the third, followed by a display of fireworks on the fourth day at the Siddheshwar temple campus.
"There are 68 Shiva lingas installed by Siddheshwar himself and the annual fair comes to an end with a parikrama of all the Shiva lingas spread over the city. The Nandi dhwajas are tied around the waist of devotees who carry it," said Swami.
The 15-day cultural fair begins on Shakambari Purnima, the full moon day in the Hindu month of Magh, which fell on January 12 this year. The fair which is organised by people from all castes and religions ends on the following no moon night.
Attendees are seen carrying tall sticks with seven prominent communities carrying seven different sticks, making the festivities inclusive for all.
"Along with being a symbol of Shaivbhakti or faith in Veershavism, the Gadda Yatra is also a social gathering which creates communal harmony within the society bringing together people from all religions," said Swami.
At a time when historical figures are often used for political gains, senior journalist Arun Khore, points out that Siddheshwar has continued to remain a village deity embraced by all communities alike.
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