Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 2: "The puja and other services one offers to the Lord with total dedication and devotion bear fruits in the form of transformation of their lives for the better, besides earning the blessings of the Lord himself," said Kashi Mutt head Swami Sudheendrateertha. He was delivering the benedictory address at a ceremony organized at Sastan in the taluk, for inaugurating the newly built Sri Rama Mandir and the re-consecration of presiding deity Lord Rama.

Reminiscing his 'Chaturmasya' period observed in the past at Hangarkatte near here, which had been a vibrant port and business centre once, the Swamiji said the Gowd Saraswat families of Hangarkatte had to shift out of the place as the region suffered setback in course of time. As a result, the Kashi Math branch there, where Sri Ram Mandir was also located, could not be managed properly and therefore, it has now been shifted to Sastan at the instance of the GSB families living in Sastan, he noted. He advised the people to note that it is not the size of the temple but the frequent visit and dedicated services offered by the devotees that increase or decrease the aura and importance of a place of worship. "If we want our lives to be one of fulfillment, we should worship the Lord, the purpose for which we have been given a chance to take birth here. The worship should be backed by selflessness and total surrender," he added.

Kapil Bhat Kota, who performed puja to the deity for a year during the intervening period before the Rama Mandir was constructed, Nayak family which donated land for the Mandir construction, K Sridhar Kamat who constructed the building and other donors were honoured on the occasion by the Swamiji.