Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 13: The Sri Rajarajeshwari Siddhivinayaka Temple in Kuthar celebrated the Gauri festival in a unique and socially impactful manner by organising a mass traditional nose-piercing ceremony. During the event, 35 girls, including 26 from ashrams and economically weaker backgrounds, were provided with free nose rings.
With the support of various donors, 26 nose rings were collected and distributed free of cost to the deserving girls. Additionally, nine girls participated in the ceremony using nose rings provided by their parents. Members of the Vishwakarma community, including Nagesh Acharya, Suresh Acharya, Satish Acharya, and Yashodhara Acharya, conducted the piercing rituals strictly adhering to Hindu traditions.
The programme was inaugurated by Sesanna Chowta and Pushpa Chowta, the parents of Dakshina Kannada member of parliament Brijesh Chowta.
Addressing the gathering, Sesanna Chowta noted that nose piercing is believed to have scientific benefits in addition to enhancing beauty. He commended the temple for organising such a collective traditional ceremony when such practices are waning, calling it a model for society.
Pushpa Chowta highlighted that the tradition plays a significant role in preserving local culture and expressed hope that the temple would continue being a guiding light for girls through such initiatives.
Temple managing committee president Pavitra Kumar Gatti shared that on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, newly harvested ears of paddy (tene) will be distributed to thousands of households. A dedicated paddy field was cultivated entirely under the sponsorship of a single donor for this purpose.
Gatti added that the nose-piercing ceremony was initially planned for parents to bring their own nose rings.
However, based on a suggestion by zilla panchayat member Dhanalakshmi Gatti, the committee decided to extend the opportunity to financially backward girls. This vision was realised with the support of the MP's parents, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Gopal Kuthar, Durgavahini Mahila Mandali, Varamahalakshmi Samiti Dubai, and several other donors.
Platform for those who could not afford it
Zilla panchayat member Dhanalakshmi Gatti stated that many girls desire to wear a nose ring but cannot afford it due to various constraints. She explained that the brief pain of nose piercing is believed to build mental resilience, helping girls endure life's challenges, particularly the pain associated with menstrual cycles. She thanked the temple management, trust, donors, and leaders like Gopal Kuthar for supporting the initiative to bring joy to these girls, wishing them prosperous lives filled with more golden ornaments in the future.
Bride-to-be participates in simple ceremony
The mass piercing event witnessed the participation of several young women, including the young daughter of a Konaje police personnel and a bride-to-be whose wedding is just days away. They embraced the traditional Hindu ceremony without any pomp, adding a special significance to the event that successfully blended culture with social service.
Temple vice president Vasu Poojary, treasurer Jagannath Salian, general secretary Pushparaj, organising secretary J K Rai, chief priest Vijaya Navada, Dinesh Gatti, Madhava Naik, and Ramakrishna Babbukatte were present.