Media Release

Moodbidri, Dec 24: A unique rotating Christmas star has been prepared by Life Seva Institute of Shirtadi. The star is made using 10 different materials including grains, millets, mustard and coriander.

This star will be put on display in the premises of Mount Carmel Church in Shirtadi from December 23 to January 5 on the occasion of Christmas. It weighs 120 kg, is 12 feet tall and 11 feet wide, and at the center of the star is an attractive thatched-roof crib depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.

This star is designed as a moving model, for which a 1 HP motor and a vehicle housing are fitted.

Prasanna Joel Sequeira, head of the organization, worked for three continuous weeks to prepare the star. Along with him, members of the organization Naveen Shetty Shirtadi, Cyprian D'Souza Shirtadi, Ramesh Shetty Mangalore, and Nagaraj Alangaru have collaborated.

The organization has been involved in large scale star making for the past 10 years and has been making stars every year using a unique variety of materials.

The star this year is made using with 1 kg mustard, 1 kg coriander, 1 kg gram, 1 kg millet, 2 kg groundnut, 20 kg raw betel nut, 2 kg dry betel nut, motor, vehicle housing and wooden pieces. It is powered by electric, decorated with lights and looks attractive.

“The nakshatra was built with the cooperation of the interfaith community with the original intention of communal harmony. It often speaks of the need for mutual peace and tranquillity,” says Prasanna Joel Sequeira, Life Seva Institute.