Daijiworld News Network's special correspondent, reporting from Dharmasthala - Sunday, 11-45 am
Mangalore, Jan 22: A pall of gloom has been hovering over the entire place after the tragic demise of Matrushri Ratnamma Heggade in a road accident on Saturday evening. As the news spread, all shops and establishments in and around this place downed their shutters as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
People thronged here to pay their final respects and the members of the Jain community in particular were chanting the 'Pancha Namaskara' prayers throughout.
Dr Veerendra Heggade, who was on a visit to Bangalore in connection with opening of a cancer treatment centre and also to oversee arrangements for Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony at Shravanabelogola, was conveyed the sad news soon after the mishap. He rushed back at once and reached here by 9-45 pm on Saturday.
The final rites of the departed Ratnamma took place in the early hours around 3-00 am on Sunday.
The president of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, and state governor, T N Chaturvedi, have sent their personal condolence messages through DK deputy commissioner Dr H V Parshwanath. The DC is expected to hand over the messages to Dr Veerendra Heggade in person on Sunday afternoon.
Update II
Dharmastala pays last respect to their beloved Matrusri
Beltangady: The funeral of Matrusri Ratnamma Heggade(77) of Dharmasthala, who lost her life in a road accident, was conducted on Sunday morning at about 3.15 am.
The mortal remains were brought from the accident site and placed at the residence of Dharmasthala Heggade. Thousands of people converged on the place to pay their last respects to the deceased.
One of the sons of the deceased and some relatives had to come from far off places. After they arrived, the funeral was conducted near Sri Chandranatha Swami Basadi of Dharmasthala.
Later, the routine worship and other rituals were held at the Lord Manjunatha Swami Temple.
The entire Dharmasthala town had plunged into utter grief and the business as well as other commercial places observed a voluntary bandh on Saturday night. It is learnt, that the people will observe voluntary bandh on Sunday too.