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In spite of the scorching heat, the 84-year-old leader climbed the hill bare footed with the assistance of security staff and MLA C N Balakrishna. Gowda, alongside his better half Chennamma, landed at Shravanabelagola at 12.25 pm. Chennamma climbed the hill with the help of “doli’ but Deve Gowda climbed the hill in 50 minutes.
He performed abhisheka to the statue of Bahubali with his wife within the sight of Jain mutt seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami. Gowda drank a tender coconut in the after performing the abhisheka. Amid his journey to the hilltop, Gowda took three breaks and doctors checked his blood pressure (BP) and sugar level.
Deve Gowda stated, “With God’s grace, I have climbed the mountain without any diffculty.” Chenamma said Deve Gowda had not informed her about climbing the slope barefeet. “He has focus and determination. He achieves whatever he wishes. I had thought of climbing the slope with him. But, it didn’t happen,” said Chennamma.