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

Chennamma Deve Gowda and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. | Photo credit: File photo

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

Chennamma, 89, died at a private hospital in Bengaluru after a cardiac arrest on Saturday. Her remains were enshrined at the family residence in Padmanabhanagar, where hundreds of people and politicians across party lines visited and worshiped her.

Later, the family members, including former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and former minister HD Revanna, decided to take the remains to Holenarasipur. The final rites will be held at the foot of the Ranganatha Swamy Betta in Mavinakere on Monday afternoon.

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

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

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

The Ranganatha Swamy temple at Mavinakere is located near Haradanahalli, the birthplace of Mr. Deve Gowda. Members of the Deve Gowda family were devotees of the temple and frequented it. The family traditionally offers special prayers at the temple before filing nomination papers during elections.

In addition to family members, several dignitaries are expected to attend the closing ceremonies. The district administration has identified helipads at Haradanahalli and Holenarasipur to facilitate arrival of dignitaries by air.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan KS Lathakumari has declared a holiday for all schools, colleges and anganwadi centers in Holenarsipur taluk on Monday in view of the expected heavy vehicular movement as a large number of people and dignitaries are likely to attend the closing ceremonies.

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

Published – 19 Jul 2026 22:41 IST