5,000 Hanuman devotees hold yatra in Karnataka's Srirangapatna

Mandya (Karnataka), Dec 3 (PTI) Under tight security, Hanuman devotees on Wednesday conducted the annual 'Hanuman Sankeertana yatra' in Srirangapatna as part of the Hanuman vrata, a yearly ritual.

Tension briefly arose when devotees halted in front of the Jamia Masjid to perform 'keertan'.

The Hanuman devotees allege that the mosque was built on the site of a Hanuman temple by 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, a claim rejected by the Muslim community.

As per tradition, the 'Hanuman Mala Sankeertana yatra' began from Nimishamba Devi Temple in the afternoon.

A senior police officer said around 5,000 Maladhari Hanuman devotees participated in the procession, which largely passed off peacefully.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, said there was no tension in Srirangapatna.

"There is a tradition of sitting and chanting Hanuman bhajans in front of the mosque. On this occasion, a large number of people gathered there. Policemen asked them to move along as they had spent a considerable time at the spot. Other than this, no disturbance took place," he said. PTI GMS SSK