Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
From Yogish Kumbhasi
Udupi, Jan 22: "Devadiga community has seen the Lord from close quarters and fondled Him. Goddess Ekanatheshwari, who has brought so many of her devotees together on a single day, will make it sure that the temple dedicated to her will get completed soon. This is the power centre of Devadigas. The Almighty loves us more and more as we worship him more and more. If the donation box of a temple gets generous donations, it is like families getting richer," analyzed Sri Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji of Palimar Math here.
He was delivering benedictory address after laying the foundation stone of Goddess Ekanatheshwari temple being built at Kachchoor near Barkur in the taluk at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore on Thursday January 21.
District in-charge minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, in his address, felt that Barkur, which is backed by glorious history, will become famous further because of this temple. "Even though Devadiga community is smaller in comparison, it has many members who have come up in life on their own and earned fame. Properties and money do not give peace of mind, bur prayers to the Lord do. To earn grace of the Lord, we should get involved with more and more philanthropic activities. The government will extend full support to this temple being built by Devadigas who have come together for the purpose," he added.
Member of legislative council, Kota Srinivas Poojary, noted that temple building is a daunting job, and hailed Devadiga community for venturing to build a temple for the guiding goddess of their community. He asked everyone to get involved with temple construction, including those who cant donate, by doing voluntary work for the temple.
Dubai-based entrepreneur, Harish Sherigar, hailed the day as historic for Devadiga community, and expressed elation at being part of the function. He announced a donation of ten lac rupees on behalf of his family for temple construction.
Honorary president and trustee of temple construction committee, U Dharmapal Devadiga, Dinesh Chandrashekhar Devadiga family, and trustee, Narayana Devadiga Dubai, promised donations of Rs 15 lac, Rs 25 lac, and Rs 15 lac respectively.
Dharmapal Devadiga gave details of the temple construction committee. President of the board of trustees of temple, B Annaiah Sherigar, delivered introductory address. Kundapur MLA, Halady Srinvas Shetty, who visited the venue, wished the project every success.
Donors of land and funds for the temple were felicitated on the occasion. Suresh G Padukone released a concept titled 'Kanike Hundi' for donation collection. Entrepreneur and Karnataka Rajyotsava awardee, B Shantaram Shetty, Barkur gram panchayat president, Shyla D'Souza, retired lecturer, Dr B Manjunath somayaji, trustee of Barkur Panchalingeshwara temple, B Manjunath Rao, trustee of Choulikeri Bhairava Ganapati and Mahalingeshwara temple, Krishnappa Uppoor, Barkur Veerabhadra temple trustee, Srinivas Shettigar, and a number of other dignitaries were at the dais.
Temple trustee, Narasimha Devadiga, welcomed. Praveen Devadiga, Vasant Kumar Nitte, Raghavendra C Hiriyadka, and Ganesh Sherigar Mumbai presented the programme. Shankar Devadiga Ankadakatte proposed vote of thanks. Prayer was rendered at the beginning by Krishna Devadiga Barkur and his team.