Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Oct 19: Garadi is a place known for religious beliefs for ages. It is customary for the villagers to assemble here and offer prayers. However, the functioning of Uggelbettu Garadi has given room for misunderstanding between the officials and the villagers. Villagers allege that the offerings such as cash, jewellery etc brought by the villagers to the deities are being taken away by the temple authorities for their personal use without issuing receipts.

The Garadi here has a 300 years old history. The devotees offer a large amount of cash and gold during Nemotsava and Sankramana Puja here. No receipts are being issued for them. The process is being followed for many years.

The officials of temple committee have alleged that the head of the temple, Mahabala Shetty is utilizing the funds for his personal use without producing accounts. The villagers have expressed anguish against Shetty who has been misusing the funds for the last 25 years and responds with egotism that the land belongs to him when questioned.

Mahabala Shetty has created a rift between five priests serving the temple and made the villagers mistrust them. The development of the temple has been neglected. Villagers have urged that there should be transparency and accountability in temple dealings failing which a large scale protest led by the trustee of the temple will be inevitable.