Rons Bantwal

Mangaluru, May 2: The annual puja ritual of Chandrashekhar R Belchada, the administrative trustee of Sasihithlu Shri Bhagavathi Temple and former president of Thiya Samaj Mumbai, was held last Saturday evening at ‘Devi Krupa’ residence in Gampa, Kateel. The religious ceremony was followed by the performance of the 51st annual harake Yakshagana.

The event was graced and blessed by the hereditary priests of the Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple, including Shri Harinarayanadasa Asranna, Shri Anantha Padmanabha Asranna, and Shri Kamaladevi Prasada Asranna. Shri Subramanya Hebbar conducted the chauki puja and other rituals to bless the gathering.

The Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Prasadita Dashavatara Yakshagana Mandali performed the Yakshagana bayalata titled Shri Satyaharishchandra and Rati Kalyana.

Several dignitaries attended the occasion, including Dharmapal U Devadiga, president of Vishwa Devadiga Maha Mandala; Sujata D Devadiga; Dr Poonam Rahul; Padmanabha Sasihithlu (Kala Saurabha); Advocate AP Monteiro, director of MCC Bank; Sudhakar B; Sadananda B; Rajendra Prasad Ekkar; Damayanti Shetty Ekkaru; Mehul Chandrashekhar; Sagar Kateel; and Shashank Kateel, along with hundreds of other guests.