Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 15: The tendering process of the remaining stalls for the Navaratri festival at Mangaladevi Temple in the city was held on Saturday, October 14, amidst protests by Hindu organisations.
In the auction that was held for 11 stalls, six of them were awarded to Muslims. This means that the demand of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Jathra vendors’ association’s of taking stalls during Navaratri festival is met.
Three days ago, when the administrative committee of the temple finalised the stall auction out of the 125 stalls, 92 were auctioned. However, only 71 people paid the bid amount and authorised the auction.
Dakshina Kannada and Udupi fair vendors’ committee filed a complaint with city police commissioner and district administration that Muslims had been kept out of the stall tendering outside the temple area within the MCC jurisdiction. It also held a protest on Friday in this regard. Additional DC held a meeting in this connection with the administrative committee of the temple and instructed to hold the auction for the remaining stalls. Accordingly, the process was completed on Saturday.
With the auctioning process on Saturday, the task has been completed. In total, 82 stalls were auctioned. Administrative committee of the temple said that it will not hold any tendering process for the remaining stalls.
Navaratri festival will be held at Mangaladevi Temple from October 15 to 24.