Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 1: State convener of Bajrang Dal, Sooryanarayana, has asked Chikmagalur district administration to allow the devotees to have the Darshan of Datta Paduke at Dattatreya Peetha in Chandradrona Hills there on all the three days, December 8, 9, and 10. He was addressing a press conference here on Wednesday November 30.

“The process of wearing Datta Mala has been going on since November 29 onwards. On December 8, oblation will be performed, and procession by women chanting devotional songs will be taken out at the Datta Peetha. On December 9, a procession followed by public meeting in the premises of Kamadhenu Temple, Chikmagalur, will be held. National convener of Bajrang Dal, Subhash Chauhan, will participate in the meeting,” he explained.

Thousands of devotees will arrive at the Peeta to have the Darshan of Datta Paduke on December 10, which happens to be Dattatreya Jayanti day. At Datta Peetha, Ganapati and Datta Homa, apart from religious meeting, will be held. The district administration has been requested to complete the repairs of the collapsed part of the Datta cave before the festival, he revealed.  He also reiterated demands like appointment of a Hindu priest at the Datta Peeta cave, performance of puja thrice a day, appointment of a Hindu executive officer on permanent basis, placing ban on all Islamic activities at Datta Peeta, declaration of the Peeta and surrounding areas as pilgrimage centre of Hindus, installation of the Datta Paduke, which is presently held in district treasury, at the Peetha as per Hindu religious procedures, holding of investigation into the sale of invaluable idols, things and properties belonging to the Peeta in the past, and taking these items back into possession.

Bajrang Dal office bearers, Sridhar Kamath, and Girish Anchan were present at the press conference.