Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 2: Administrative officer of Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple, Kateel, Gokuldas Nayak, handed over charge to newly appointed hereditary trustee of the temple, Dr K Raveendranath Poonja, at a function organized at the temple premises.

Speaking on the occasion, Poonja announced that he will sincerely work for the progress of the temple and will not allow politics to be played in the matter of temple development. He promised to do his best to sort out long-pending issues like holding auction of temple shops, construction of bypass road in Kateel and construction of lodge for pilgrims.

Former minister, K Amarnath Shetty, addressed the gathering.

People belonging to Kodethurguthu lineage to which Dr Poonja belongs, had been functioning as managing trustees of Kateel temple since 1888 till 1998. After the death of Dayanand Shetty, who had taken over in 1998, Dr Raveendranath Poonja had been appointed but this appointment was questioned by Dr Jayaram Alva, who filed a petition at the state high court in 2011. The high court has since dismissed the petition and upheld appointment of Dr Poonja as trustee.

Rohit Kumar Shetty, Prasad Shetty, Kishore Shetty and several others were present at the function.