Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Oct 18: 5000 widows will be performing Lakshmi Pooja at Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple as part of Deepavali on October 23, revealed former Union minister B Janardhana Poojary, architect of Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple addressing the press meet at the Kudroli temple auditorium on Saturday October 18.
Two women Lakshmi, 65, and Chandravathi, 46, both widows from the dalit community were appointed as priests of Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple on September 29.
Poojary also provided more information on the forthcoming event by saying that “Irrespective of caste and creed, five thousand women who have lost their husbands, will participate in this auspicious occasion. As a token of respect these women will be given one sari, blouse piece, kunkum, jasmine flower and one rupee coin. On this occasion idol of goddess Lakshmi and Vishnu will be placed in the silver chariot with a widow priest in it and the participants of Lakshmi Pooja will pull the chariot in the temple premises. Widows who want to take part in the Lakshmi Pooja can register their names from tomorrow at temple office.”
Poojary also gave a call to people to kindly allow widows to perform Pooja at the time of Deepavali to increase the prosperity in the families.
Taking a dig at legalization of prostitution, Poojary said "Legalizing the prostitution is the painful thing. Once it is legalized we cannot do anything. No human being can support prostitution. Women should be respected and revered. It is the duty and responsibility of the government to give alternative facilities to those women who are involved in prostitution. Those who visit brothels should be penalized.”
“Religious heads should visit the brothels and get back those who are involved in prostitution and provide alternative facilities for their livelihood. This move will become a reformation.” he concluded.
HS Sairam, Harikrishna Bantwal, Raghavendra Kulur, Leelaksha Karkera, Padmaraj R, Dr B J Suvarna, B K Tharanath Devendra Poojary and others were present on this occasion.