<p>The Ishta Linga at Aikya Mantap at the Sangama (confluence of Krishna and Malaprabha rivers) has developed cracks.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to residents, the cracks have occurred as devotees throw coins at the Ishta Linga. The Kudala Sangama Development Board has displayed a board requesting the devotees not to throw the coins at the Istha Linga, but drop them only in hundi box. The requests go in vain.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The devotees have sought deployment of security guards at the Mantap. They have requested the devotees to stop the practice of throwing the coins at the Ishta Linga as a blind belief. Kudala Sangama Basava Dharma Peetha’s Mahadeshwar Swami has urged the state government to protect the Ishta Linga by covering it with fibreglass.</p>
<p>The Ishta Linga at Aikya Mantap at the Sangama (confluence of Krishna and Malaprabha rivers) has developed cracks.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to residents, the cracks have occurred as devotees throw coins at the Ishta Linga. The Kudala Sangama Development Board has displayed a board requesting the devotees not to throw the coins at the Istha Linga, but drop them only in hundi box. The requests go in vain.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The devotees have sought deployment of security guards at the Mantap. They have requested the devotees to stop the practice of throwing the coins at the Ishta Linga as a blind belief. Kudala Sangama Basava Dharma Peetha’s Mahadeshwar Swami has urged the state government to protect the Ishta Linga by covering it with fibreglass.</p>