News and pics by Lionel Pinto for Daijiworld Media Network - Kinnigoli
Mangalore, Mar 30: "The fear from the hearts of people and the feeling of insecurity can be removed by the very presence of religious places. Religious discourses and teachings could always be beneficial in driving out demons from the heart of people. Along with this religious rituals like Brahmakalashotsava give the feeling of God's existence to the people," said Shree Vidyadeeshateertha Padangal of Palimar Math.
He was speaking during a religious discourse held on 'Brahmari Vedike' of Shree Durgaparameshawari Temple at Kateel on Thursday March 29 evening.
The religious discourse was organized as preparation for week-long Ashthabandha Brahmakalashotsava and Nagamandala celebrations of Kateel temple.
Former MLA and well-known yakshagana artiste Kumble Sundar Rao who delivered a talk on "Temples and Religious Education" said that it is very necessary that proper and timely religious education should come from temples. "But it is not happening on regular basis in our society. Earlier people used to come to temples to resolve their problems and even seeking justice. But today they go to court for each and everything. This shows that the reverential fear about God has disappeared from the minds of people," he observed.
He further said that a lethargic attitude about God and His presence has crept in the minds of the people and the general feeling is that one can survive and do well even without God's help and intervention. "Today people have a TV set worth Rs 15,000 in their houses but they would not wish to buy a religious book which may cost merely Rs 15. The people of the day hardly know about Rama and Seetha but they would speak in volumes about Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid," he lamented.
Vidhwan Kamaladevi Asranna, main priest of Kateel Temple, DrYashovarma, secretary of Dharmasthala Educational Institutions Ujire, Prabhakara Shettigar, president of Dakshina Kannada Padmashali Mahasabha and cultural committee president Dr Mohan Alva were present on the dais. L Suresh, professor of SDPT College, Kateel compered the programme.