M'lore: Gandhi Jayanthi Special – Father of Nation Venerated in Kankanady Garadi
from Melka Miyar – pics – Ganesh S Perla
for Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (GA)
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Mangalore, Oct 3: Mahatma Gandhi, being a national leader as well as a philosopher, led the country towards the freedom. That is why the entire nation is paying respect to this great leader even after so many decades. Though he has died and live no more with us, his ideologies and principles still hold well not only to India but to the entire world.
Gandhi’s truth and non violence policy were the main guidelines and sources of inspiration for the freedom struggle movement during those days. It is owing to its huge success that a number of people have adopted them as their way of life. But here is a temple where Gandhiji is worshiped since 1948.
The statue of Gandhiji was consecrated and erected on December 15, 1948, soon after the death of Gandhiji in Brahma Bydarkala Garadi near Pumpwell in Mangalore. Falnir Venkappa Poojary, Somappa Pandit and Narsappa Salian, who were the great admirers of Gandhiji, played an important role in consecrating this statue.
The reason for veneration to Gandhi dates back to Brahmashree Narayan Guru, a great revolutionary leader of Billava community. Narayan Guru, who was born in Kerala in 1854, fought for the welfare of the backward community. When the backward community was not allowed to enter into the temples, Narayan Guru built separate temples and started worshipping there. Hence, the untouchables gained prominence in the society later. Gandhiji was highly inspired by the achievements of Narayan Guru. Hence, Gandhiji met him in 1930s and adopted many virtues of Narayan Guru in his life and freedom movement.
The statue of Gandhiji has been erected adjacent to Narayan Guru’s statue.
Every day they 2 bananas, milk and Aarthi is offered to Gandhiji here. On the occasion of Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanthi special pujas are offered to him, says A Bhoja Karkera, manager of the temple.
Every year, Venkappa Poojari’s family sponsors the Puja offered to Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. Nagabrahma, Koti Chennaya and Kujumakanja are worshipped in this ‘Garadi’ prominently. Along with these saintly figures, Gandhiji too is being recognized as a saintly figure and venerated. On the evening of Gandhi Jayanthi, Mahapooja is offered to Koti Chennaya and Nagabrahma after venerating Gandhiji.
Narayan Guru, worked for the welfare of the downtrodden people. Gandhi was inspired by his work. His policies of truth and non-violence worked during freedom struggle. But Bhoja Karkera is sad that youth from the backward community are once again becoming the soldiers of upper caste people.
During communal violence, these youths are pulled to war field by upper caste leaders. Without knowing their background and history these youth simply fight each other and get unnecessarily entangled in problems, he said. The Billava community leaders have taken initiative to teach these youths about Gandhiji’s ideology as well as Narayan Guru’s achievements, he informed.
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