CM Siddaramaiah unveils Kanakadasa statue in Shravanabelagola
Synopsis
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah unveiled a new statue of poet-saint Kanakadasa at Kabbalu village in Shravanabelagola on 24 October 2026 at a Kanaka Yuva Sene event, then paid floral tributes to freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna.
Key Takeaways
CM Siddaramaiah unveiled the Kanakadasa statue at the Kanaka Community Hall, Kabbalu village , Shravanabelagola , on 24 October 2026 .
He also offered floral tributes at the statue of Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna , a 19th-century anti-British freedom fighter from Karnataka.
The event was organised by Kanaka Yuva Sene in the presence of Dr.
Shivanandapuri Swamiji .
Excise and Hassan In-charge Minister K.M.
Shivalingegowda , MP Shreyas Patel , former MLA C.S.
Puttegowda , and former MLC Gopalswamy attended.
Kanakadasa was a 16th-century Kannada poet-saint whose devotional compositions remain central to Karnataka's cultural heritage.
A saint who sang of devotion across centuries and a warrior who defied an empire — Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid homage to both on Saturday, 24 October 2026, in the historic Hassan district town of Shravanabelagola. He unveiled a new statue of Dasashreshtha Sri Bhakta Kanakadasa in front of the Kanaka Community Hall at Kabbalu village, then offered floral tributes at a statue of freedom fighter Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna.
A saint immortalised in stone at Kabbalu
The statue of Kanakadasa — the revered 16th-century Kannada poet-saint and Haridasa composer — was unveiled at the Kanaka Community Hall premises in Kabbalu village, Shravanabelagola. Known for devotional masterworks such as Mohanatarangini and hundreds of devaranamas (devotional hymns), Kanakadasa remains a towering figure in Kannada literary and spiritual tradition. The event was organised under the aegis of Kanaka Yuva Sene, a youth cultural body, in the presence of Dr. Shivanandapuri Swamiji.
Sangolli Rayanna honoured with flowers
Following the unveiling, CM Siddaramaiah offered floral tributes at the statue of Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna — the 19th-century guerrilla commander who led fierce resistance against British rule and is closely associated with the Kittur uprising. Rayanna stands as one of Karnataka's most celebrated anti-colonial icons, and his commemoration alongside a devotional saint underscored the dual cultural and patriotic register of the programme.
Who was on stage at Kabbalu
The event drew a notable gathering of political figures from Hassan district. Present alongside the Chief Minister were Excise Minister and Hassan District In-charge Minister K.M. Shivalingegowda, Member of Parliament Shreyas Patel, former MLA C.S. Puttegowda, and former MLC Gopalswamy, among other local leaders. The programme's combination of religious sanction — courtesy Dr. Shivanandapuri Swamiji — and cross-party attendance reflects the broad community significance such dedications carry in rural Karnataka.
Shravanabelagola itself is steeped in heritage: the town in Hassan district is one of India's foremost Jain pilgrimage centres and home to the colossal Gommateshwara statue, lending the surroundings an already-charged historical gravity to events of this kind.
Point of View
Who commands deep reverence among the Kuruba and broader Kannada communities — and a 19th-century anti-colonial warrior in the same event, Siddaramaiah signals an inclusive cultural politics that draws on religious and nationalist sentiment simultaneously. Such programmes in historically resonant locations like Shravanabelagola also serve to deepen the party's footprint in Hassan district, where local political contest remains active. The pattern suggests heritage diplomacy will remain a quiet but steady instrument of the ruling alliance's outreach strategy.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shravanabelagola located?
Shravanabelagola is a historic Jain pilgrimage town in Hassan district, Karnataka. It is best known for the colossal Gommateshwara statue and is a major centre of Jain heritage in South India.
Who was Sangolli Rayanna?
Sangolli Rayanna was a 19th-century freedom fighter from Karnataka who led guerrilla resistance against British colonial rule, closely associated with the Kittur uprising. He is celebrated as one of Karnataka's foremost anti-colonial heroes.
What is Kanaka Yuva Sene?
Kanaka Yuva Sene is a youth cultural organisation that organises programmes in honour of Kanakadasa and related cultural heritage, particularly in Karnataka's Hassan district and surrounding areas.
Which ministers attended the Kabbalu statue event?
Excise and Hassan District In-charge Minister K.M. Shivalingegowda, MP Shreyas Patel, former MLA C.S. Puttegowda, and former MLC Gopalswamy were among the dignitaries present at the event.
