Kundapur, 28 Nov 2012: “In order to wipe out social evils, the temples are more appropriate than any government programme or scheme. By strengthening the temple administration a healthy society can be created. The Muzrai department will think in this direction. Among all districts of the state, Udupi has been allotted the maximum, Rs. 8.5 crores for this purpose.” This announcement was made by Kota Srinivas Poojary, Muzrai and Inland Water and Ports Minister who is also the guardian minister of the Udupi District after inaugurating the cultural programmes on the occasion of the great Rathotsava and historic Kodi Festival of Shri Kotilingeshwara Temple of Koteshwar.
Speaking further, Kota Srinivas Poojary said that politics, caste system, etc has divided people. However, temples perform the function of bringing people from different political parties as well as castes together. Western culture has been intoxicating the youth and people have started forgetting that Indian culture had father like Dasharatha, son like . Sri Ram, brother like Yudhishtira and devoted wife such as Mondodari.
Continuing his address, Srinivas Poojary pointed out that earlier children never used to eat dinner without prayers. In modern age, this custom has been disappearing. For the revival of values, temples are very important. He also said that some of the larger temples like those at Kollur and Subramanya use their funds to support orphanages, schools for physically and mentally challenged children, homes for the aged and cow protection shelters.
Srinivas Poojary expressed unhappiness regarding the lack of seriousness on the part of the districts officers of the Northern Karnataka districts in implementing Muzrai laws. He assured that soon administrative committees will be constituted in various temples and the priests will be provided identity cards and accommodation for their residence.
B. Sadashiv Prabhu, Kundapur Divisional Officer ho was the chief guest of the programme said that strict action will be taken against those who have encroached on the land of Shri Koteshwara Temple.
The administrative Dharamdarshi of Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple of Basrur and State Religious Council member-B. Appanna Hegde conveyed their best wishes to the cultural programme. The newly elected 9 members of the temple’s administrative committee were felicitated during this occasion. Srinivas Kunder, Subbanna Shetty, Ganaesh Bhat, KVK Ithal and Gopalakrishna Shetty paid honour to the guests.
M. Prabhakar Shetty, president of the Kodi Habba Celebration Committee who presided over the function made an appeal to all those who were present for the success of the cultural programmes, NS Doddamani made introductory remarks. Bandimatha Nagaraja Bhat rendered prayer, BM Gururaj Rao compeered the programme and Ravindra Dodmane proposed the vote of thanks.
After the inaugural function, Ananta Kulkarni, Akashvani artist from Bagalokote presented “Dasavaani” devotional songs as part of the cultural programme.