Mangalore: Lord Ganesh Symbol of Unity and Integrity—Sri Dharmapalanath Swamiji
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (MM/CN)
Mangalore, Sep 5: Celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesh is a display of unity and integrity. One should worship him with pure mind and heart, said Sri Dharmapalanath Swamiji, Adichunchanagiri Math of Kavoor.
He was speaking at the valedictory function of the Ganeshotsav organized at Bunts Hostel, on Friday September 5. The Swamiji said that Lord Ganesh respected his parents, and thus taught devotees to respect elders. But society has forgotten the virtues taught by the deity, he opined. 'We should worship Lord Ganesh not only in difficult times, but also on other occasions,’ he added.
Dr Sonda Bhaskar Bhat, head, department of Sanskrit, Sri Durgaparameshwari Pre-University College, Kateel, said that freedom fighter Balagangadhar Tilak united the nation against the British rulers regardless of caste and creed through Ganeshotsav, in the pre-Independence era. Today’s Ganeshotsav should also unite the nation threatened by separatist forces, he opined.
City mayor Ganesh Hosabettu, Karkala MLA Gopal Bhandary, zilla panchayat vice-president Jayashree Kodandur, and Ramesh S, managing trustee, Umamaheshwari temple, were felicitated on the occasion. Amarnath Shetty, president, Bantara Yane Nadavara Matru Sangh, presided over the function.
Lok Adalat member B Ranganath Hegde, Ajit Kumar Rai Malady, Chandrahas Adyantaya, Chandrahas Shetty, Umesh Rai, Manjunath Bhandary, and Sadanand Malli were also present on the occasion. Dr Pratibha invoked the prayers. Balakrishna Shetty welcomed the gathering. Sharat Shetty compered the programme while Dr Ashajyothi Rai proposed the vote of thanks.
Later, the idol of Lord Ganesh was taken in a grand procession through the city for immersion in water.