Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Feb 26: Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple situated in Nandalike village of Karkala taluk in Udupi district has become a symbol of communal amity and harmony.
The temple which has a history of close to thousand years is one of the oldest and famous shrines in the coastal district of Karnataka though the temple is located in a small village.
A number of devotees take part in the famous and unique Siri Jathre celebrations of the temple especially with more women being part of the festivities.
Another speciality of the temple is the presence of poet Muddanna's house in the temple compound itself.
People cutting across barriers of caste, religion and sects take part in the famous Tulunadu Siri Jathre. Christians also offer their prayers every year in the Jathre and about 40 of them work as volunteers. That's not all! Victor Noronha who belongs to the Christian community holds the Nandi and performs Bali pooja at the Siri Jathre and has been doing so for the last 12 years.
Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple in Nandalike, which is a small village has become a symbol and a living example of unity for all religions and faiths even in the communally sensitive regions of the coastal districts.