The Durga Mata Daud (Mother Durga Run) is an annual nine-day devotional run held in Belagavi during the Navaratri festival. Each morning of Navaratri, thousands of residents gather at dawn and run along designated routes in the city. Participants, often dressed in white clothes with saffron scarves or turbans, create a sea of devotion and energy. Unlike a competitive race, the run is accompanied by devotional music, drumming, and chants in praise of Goddess Durga.
The event often features a small chariot at the front carrying children dressed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his mother Jijabai, en route symbolising cultural pride and historical memory. Runners, popularly called “Dharkaris” (warriors), chant slogans such as “Durga Mata Ki Jai” and “Jai Shivaji Amba Bhavani.” The central aim is not only devotion but also to inspire youth to lead disciplined, healthy, and addiction-free lives.
Historical Background
The Durga Mata Daud was first introduced in Maharashtra in the 1980s and spread to Karnataka in the late 1990s. In Belagavi, the tradition took root nearly three decades ago with the efforts of Shri Shiv Pratishthan Hindusthan Sanghatana, cultural and youth organizations. The first editions of the run saw only a handful of participants. Today, the event has grown into a massive movement with tens of thousands of people joining on the final day of Navaratri.
Growth and Evolution
From modest beginnings, the run has expanded to cover different neighborhoods of Belagavi. On each day of Navaratri, routes vary, linking temples and significant city landmarks. Participation by women and children has increased over the years, making it a true community-wide celebration. The city decorates streets with arches, shrines, and lights, while families and temple committees arrange offerings for the runners.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when large gatherings were restricted, the organizers symbolically continued the run with only a small group of flag-bearers to keep the tradition alive. In recent years, the scale of participation has grown so much that Belagavi has become a model for similar events in neighboring towns.
Cultural and Religious Significance
Navaratri celebrates the divine feminine energy of Goddess Durga. The Durga Mata Daud adds a physical and communal expression to this devotion. It blends religious fervor with messages of unity, patriotism, and social reform. The saffron attire, historical imagery, and disciplined format create a sense of cultural awakening, while the run itself symbolizes strength and endurance in the service of faith.
The event is also seen as a festival of health and brotherhood. By gathering youth in large numbers and channeling their energy into devotion, the run seeks to strengthen both community bonds and individual character.
The Durga Mata Daud has become one of Belagavi’s most anticipated festival highlights. Each morning, people from all walks of life join the run or line the streets to cheer, offer water, and shower petals on participants. Hundreds of temporary shrines and arches are set up along the routes, adding to the festive spirit. Women perform aarti as runners pass by, and children actively take part by marching or riding in the chariot.
- The event has grown from a few dozen runners to nearly 30,000 participants on the final day.
- It has expanded to other towns in North Karnataka, making it a regional tradition.
- Despite challenges like the pandemic, the spirit of the run has never been broken.
- Today, it is recognized as both a devotional procession and a cultural movement that unites the city.