Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jan 15: Annual festival will be celebrated on Wednesday and Thursday at Brahmalingeshwara temple, one of the important religious centres of Udupi established by Adi Shankeracharya. Thousands of devotees from all over the country have begun arriving for the fair.

Thousands of people regardless of religion and gender will fulfil their vows by stamping on live coal. It has been the custom that at least one person of the family who believes in the deity offers pooja. The devotees bring flowers and fruits on their head and return after receiving prasada given by the priest. The growers of flowers offer their garlands to the deity.

Special buses and vehicles are available for devotees from Udupi, Karkala, Padubidri etc.

Change of date for fair: It has been customary to celebrate the festival and annual fair on January 14. But the festival is held this year on January 15. People who were unaware of it were seen arriving on Tuesday itself.

Visit by MLA

Byndoor MLA B M Sukumar Shetty visited on Wednesday and took part in religious rituals. Trustee Sadashiva Shetty, priest Paratheesh Bhat, Ramachandra Manja, Kolloor temple management committee member Vadamballi Jayarama Shetty, manager K Narayana Shetty, in charge C Raghuram Shetty, entrepreneur Nailady Shivarama Shetty and Sridhar Mardi were present.