Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jul 4: “Today is a blessed day in my life. I consider it my fortune to have laid the foundation stone for a sacred temple with my own hands. Efforts to renovate such holy places are essential to preserve Sanatana culture for future generations,” said Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde.
He added that his visit to Sri Kshetra Kateel had made him feel as though the divine and Goddess Bhramarambike had personally guided him to the region. “If we protect dharma, dharma will protect us. Only temples and mutts can safeguard dharma. I will also try to bring my father and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde to the Brahmakalashotsava of this temple,” he said.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony for the new temple building of Sheddé Sri Vishnumoorthi Temple, Moodshedde, was held on Thursday (July 2) with traditional rituals and the participation of political leaders, seers, and community representatives.
On the occasion, MP Dr Shinde also released the temple brochure and conveyed his best wishes for the project.
The event was inaugurated with ceremonial lighting of the lamp by K. Harinarayana Asranna, hereditary trustee of Sri Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple; Sri Mohanadasa Paramahamsa Swamiji of Sri Mahalakshmi Kshetra, Manila; and Sri Rajasekharananda Swamiji of Sri Guru Raghavendra Anjaneya Mutt (Vajradhama Dharmakshetra, Gurpur), who also blessed the gathering.
Ritual foundation stone laying was performed by Kudupu Sri Narasimha Tantri, Kudupu Sri Krishnaraja Tantri, Srinivas Udupa and Ramachandra Udupa.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Moodushedde Vishwanath S Shetty, president of the temple’s Mumbai committee, and chaired by MRG Group executive chairman Dr K Prakash Shetty.
Among those present were Mangaluru MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian, Mangaluru North MLA Bharath Y Shetty, former MP Anand V Jain, Kalyan MLA Rajesh J More, Shiv Sena leader Gopal R Ladge, former KDMC corporator Prabhunath Atmaram Bhoir, Sony Steels Industries Pvt Ltd chairman Pandurang S Shetty and director Vanita Pandurang Shetty, former minister K. Nagaraj Shetty, Buntara Yane Nadavara Sangha president Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, Kudroli Temple trustee advocate R Padmaraj, DK administrative officer Raju K S, KPCC general secretary Mithun M Rai, Bhiwandi BJP president Santosh M Shetty Moodubelle, and several other dignitaries, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
Presiding over the function, Dr K Prakash Shetty said he had attended several foundation stone-laying ceremonies but had never witnessed such a gathering or atmosphere. He said those with true devotion to the temple were present in quiet reverence. Describing Vishnu Moorthi as his family and village deity, he noted the deep emotional bond between the temple and its devotees. He urged that construction work begin without delay and be completed in a time-bound manner, expressing confidence that the Brahmakalashotsava would be held within a year.
Devotional prayers were offered by Sharan Shetty Hosalakke. The programme witnessed the presence of Mumbai committee general secretary Divakar Rai, Anupama Shetty, Sharmila D Rai, Subhash Shetty Innanje, and several devotees.
Renovation committee president Chandrahasa D Shetty (Tulu-Kannada) and Mumbai committee president Vishwanath Shetty (Hindi-Marathi) welcomed the gathering. Administrative committee president S Shivaram Malli Arbhi delivered the proposal. Executive working president Giridhar Shetty briefed on the renovation plans. The programme was compered by Nitesh Ekkaru, while organising secretary Harish K. proposed the vote of thanks.