Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Apr 3: The annual car festival of historically famous Lord Mahalingeshwara temple here this time will be held without public participation because of the risk of coronavirus that has cast a shadow on most of the activities in the district. Local MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor stated that the celebrations this time will be limited to traditional observations in tune with the procedures ordained on Aagama Shaastra and instructions of religious endowment department and district administration with the participation of temple Tantry, priests, and a limited number of temple staff.

He said that as per the directions issued by the department, devotees will not be allowed to take part in any part of the annual car festival. As per the scheme to keep the celebrations simple, the 'Gone Muhoorta' relating to the celebrations were held on April 1. From April 1 onward, different procedures are being held. The devotees should stay confined to their homes without visiting the temple and offer prayers from there," he requested.

Flag hoisting programme will be held on April 10 inside the temple premises in the presence of Brahmashri Raveesh Tantry, he stated.

Temple executive officer, Naveen Bhandary, said that the police department has been requested to provide security during the celebrations as general pubic cannot be allowed into the temple during the annual festival.