Udupi: Shree Vishwanatha Kshetra at Katapady renovated

Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Feb 4: The renovation work of Katapady Shree Vishwanatha Kshetra, the second most important religious centre for Billawas has reached concluding stages. Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, honorary president of the renovation committee has said that renovation, reinstallation of deities, Brahmakalasha Mahotsava and annual festival programmes will be held between February 2 and February 17.

Addressing a press meet at Katapady Vishwanatha Kshetra, the minister said that the religious and cultural programmes will be held under the guidance of Sri Prakashananda Swamiji of Kerala Shivagiri Math, the leadership of Brahmashree Paravoor Rakesh Tantri and in the presence of chief priest Devadas Shanti. 

The programme was set in motion with Horekanike and welcome to the elders on Sunday February 2 and religious programmes will be held daily till February 17.

The state government has contributed an amount of Rs 1 crore for the all-round renovation of the Kshetra. It consists of Rs 50 lac from former BJP government and Rs 50 lac from the present Congress government. The public works department has contributed Rs 2.50 crore for the development of road from Takal farm to Kallapu. Zilla panchayat has helped with Rs 50 lac with the initiative of Katapady Shanker Poojary, former zilla panchayat president. The tender process for both the projects has concluded.

Former minister Vasanth V Salian said that help from all quarters has come for the development projects worth Rs 6 crore at the Kshetra. An amount of more than Rs 1 crore has been collected under the leadership of Jaya C Suvarna, honorary president of Kshetra management committee and Y Nagesh, president of Mumbai committee. Rs 10 lac has been received from Kshetra Dharmasthala. Donations have been received from most of the Billawa associations and people from other religions have also joined, said Vasanth Salian, who is also the renovation committee president.

Katapady Vishwanatha Kshetra management committee president Ashok M Suvarna, honorary chief secretary Harischandra Ameen, treasurer Y Madhava Anchan, secretary Jagannath Kote and former Udupi Zilla panchayat president B N Shankara Poojary were present at the press meet.