Pics: Pavanraj Hegde

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)

Udupi, Oct 31: The new flagpole meant for Sri Mahishamardini Temple at Kadiyali here, which finds mention in some of the old scriptures and mythology, was brought into the temple premises Wednesday, October 30, in a grand procession, duly complying with rituals prescribed for the same as per traditions.

The temple has a history of over 1,200 years. After completing religious procedures associated with the new flag pole at Bannanje Lord Mahalingeshwara temple, a huge procession was taken out along with the flagpole to the Kadiyali temple. Religious procedures connected with the installation of the new flagpole in place of the current one were performed. After four phases of procedure were completed, the flagpole replacement has now been initiated. The current flagpole is 24 yards in height and is seven decades old. It was installed in the year 1960, it is learnt. As the flagpole has become weak and brittle, as per the advice of scholars and the temple Tantri, the flagpole is being replaced.

The new flagpole has been given in the form of donation by Subhaschandra Hegde, who is an entrepreneur from Kadiyali and member of the temple renovation committee.

Muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, and former district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj performed worship of the cart carrying the flagpole and broke coconut to signify start of the procession.

Temple managing committee president B Madhava Bannanje, Diwakar Kaup, managing administrator, K Srinivas Hebbar, executive officer, Ganesh Rao, renovation committee president, Ratnakar Shetty, secretary, Dr Vijayendra Vasant and others took part in the procession.