Chennamma Deve Gowda’s Funeral to Take Place Today, Dignitaries to Attend

Bengaluru – The state of Karnataka will gather this Monday to bid farewell to Chennamma Deve Gowda, the beloved wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Her body will be taken to the foothills of the historic Bettada Ranganathaswamy Temple, close to Haradanahalli in Hassan district, for a traditional Hindu cremation.

High‑profile leaders are expected on the scene. Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Pralhad Joshi, along with Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, have confirmed their attendance, joining a long line of party workers, fellow politicians and ordinary citizens who have already started arriving.

The late Chennamma’s remains arrived earlier at the residence of her son, H.D. Revanna, in Holenarasipura. The house quickly turned into a makeshift gathering point, with thousands filing past, offering flowers, chanting prayers, and – as some recall – sharing a bite of the simple food that Chennamma was known for serving to every visitor.

Speaking to reporters, Revanna, a former JD(S) minister, was visibly choked up as he reminisced about his mother’s generosity. “She never let anyone leave hungry,” he said, adding that she used to hand out sarees to women who came to stay. “We have lost a goddess,” he murmured, his voice cracking at the memory.

Revanna also recounted a painful chapter from the family’s past. An acid attack meant for him and his wife Bhavani in the 1990s tragically struck Chennamma instead, leaving her with severe injuries that she bore for 26 years. Despite that ordeal, she never spoke ill of anyone and spent her later years quietly at his sister’s home.

The funeral procession will set off from Holenarasipura and travel to the Lakshminarasimha Temple area – the very spot where H.D. Deve Gowda once rented a room for a mere Rs 10 a month. Sacred water from the temple will be sprinkled over the pyre before the cortege returns, aiming to conclude the rites by 12.30 p.m. The final cremation is slated for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., following Vokkaliga community customs.

Organisers have prepared facilities for almost 50,000 attendees, a testament to the deep respect Chennamma commanded across the state. The ceremony will be simple yet steeped in tradition – a reflection of the life she chose to lead.

Chennamma passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026, after suffering a cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Bengaluru. She had been admitted two days earlier with breathing difficulties, chest congestion and other age‑related ailments. Her death prompted condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several national leaders.

As the sun sets over the temple hills, Karnataka will watch a final goodbye to a woman whose quiet service left an indelible mark on countless lives.