Grand procession to welcome Valmiki statue in Ballari, unveiling on Jan 3

A grand procession was organised in Ballari, in Karnataka, on December 25 to welcome the statue of Maharshi Valmiki, which is proposed to be installed at S.P. Circle in the city. The procession was led by MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and participants comprised people from various sections of society.

The statue was taken in a procession from the Sri Kote Malleswara Swamy temple to S.P. Circle amid traditional rituals and cultural performances. As many as 1,001 women carried poornakumbha kalashas while community leaders accompanied the procession. Youth dressed as Lord Rama and Hanuman caught the attention of onlookers, adding a devotional touch to the event.

Dollu kunitha, musical troupes and folk artistes were part of the procession, adding colour and vibrancy. Flower petals were showered on the statue using a JCB, drawing cheers from the crowd. Banners, portraits of Maharshi Valmiki and slogans highlighting his legacy were prominently displayed, making the procession a major attraction across the city. Women and young girls from different localities participated in large numbers, many of them wearing pink and yellow saris.

Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy supervising the installation of the Maharshi Valmiki statue at S.P. Circle in Ballari on December 25, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
SRIDHAR KAVALI

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Reddy said several senior leaders and legislators of the Valmiki community would take part in the ceremony to unveil the statue, which is scheduled for January 3. “Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, former minister K.N. Rajanna, and MLAs B. Nagendra, J.N. Ganesh and B.M. Nagaraj, along with all Valmiki community MLAs in Karnataka, will participate in the unveiling ceremony,” he said.

He added that the statue had been sculpted by renowned artist Arun Yogiraj, who had carved the idol of Lord Ram installed in Ayodhya. “I have personally contributed ₹1.18 crore for the statue. I will always work for the welfare of the community, and for good causes,” Mr. Reddy said.