A procession of political leaders and civil society activists to celebrate Rashtrakut Emperor Amoghavarsha Nrupatunga as part of the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations in Kalaburagi on Saturday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
A procession to celebrate the legacy of Rashtrakuta Emperor Amoghavarsha Nrupatunga was organized in Kalaburagi town late on Saturday evening as part of the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations. Organized by Kalyana Nadu Vikasa Vedike, the event had cultural performances, banners and displays highlighting the emperor’s contributions to Kannada language, literature and governance.
The procession started from the Central Bus Stand and passed through Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle and ended at Jagat Circle. The vehicles in the procession carried colorful placards celebrating the Rashtrakuta emperors. The youth enthusiastically danced to Kannada DJ songs all along the route.
They are a program run by father Swavana of mothers Ketibah in Abhinava.
In his opening remarks, Muttanna S. Nadageri, founder and president of Kalyana Nadu Vikasa Vedike, said that Amoghavarsha was the only monarch in the world who ruled for 64 years. “We are holding a grand procession in Kalaburagi for the second time to honor him,” he said, urging the state government to officially observe Amoghavarsha Nrupatunga Jayanti every year and name the Kalaburagi airport after the emperor.
He also demanded that Gulbarga University should be renamed as Rashtrakuta University, Rashtrakuta Research Institute and Amoghavarsha Study Chair should be established there and Malkhed Fort and Nagavi monuments should be built and listed as UNESCO heritage sites.
Inaugurating the event, Allamprabhu Patil, MLA from Kalaburagi South, assured the gathering that he would bring the demand of Rashtrakuta Utsav and Amoghavarsha Jayanti to the attention of the government.
Activist Lakshman Dasti, who attended as the chief guest, said the Rashtrakutas gave the first Kannada literary work, the Kavirajamarga. “Such contributions must be preserved.” He called for struggles based on development rather than religion or caste.
Hazrat Syed Shah Mustafa Khadri said that humanity is the real worship and people must live for Kannada while learning from history. Abhinava Karthikeshwara Shivacharya Swamiji recalled that during the Amoghavarsha famine, he offered his own finger to Goddess Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur for the welfare of his subjects, symbolizing his compassion and devotion.
Published – 02 Nov 2025 19:05 IST
