Hundreds of people pay last respects to Chennamma on the way to Holenarasipur

Hundreds of people paid their last respects to Chennamma Deve Gowda, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, as her mortal remains were taken from Bengaluru to her native place, Holenarasipur, on Sunday.

Chennamma, 89, died at a private hospital in Bengaluru following a cardiac arrest on Saturday. Her mortal remains were kept at the family’s residence in Padmanabhanagar, where hundreds of people and politicians cutting across party lines, visited and paid their respects.

Later, family members, including former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Minister H.D. Revanna, decided to take the mortal remains to Holenarasipur. The final rites will be held at the foothills of Ranganatha Swamy Betta at Mavinakere on Monday afternoon.

The mortal remains were transported in a specially decorated vehicle from Bengaluru to Holenarasipur.

The Hassan district administration made arrangements for the public to pay their last respects at the residence of Mr. Revanna in Holenarasipur. Bhavani Revanna, wife of Mr. Revanna, told the media that Chennamma had a special bond with the Holenarasipur residence and had spent considerable time there.

“We have made arrangements for the final rituals. The mortal remains will be kept on the house premises until Monday morning. The final rites will be held on Monday afternoon at the foothills of Ranganatha Swamy Betta,” she said.

The Ranganatha Swamy temple at Mavinakere is located close to Haradanahalli, the native place of Mr. Deve Gowda. Members of the Deve Gowda family have been devotees of the temple and have often visited it. The family has traditionally offered special prayers at the temple before filing nomination papers during elections.

Besides family members, several dignitaries are expected to attend the final rites. The district administration has identified helipads at Haradanahalli and Holenarasipur to facilitate the arrival of dignitaries by air.

Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari has declared a holiday for all schools, colleges and anganwadi centres in Holenarsipur taluk on Monday, in view of the expected heavy movement of vehicles as a large number of people and dignitaries are likely to attend the final rites.

The Deputy Commissioner has directed educational institutions to compensate for the loss of instructional hours by conducting special classes during the weekend. The holiday applies to all government, aided and private schools and colleges in the taluk.