Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 8: The city is all decked up for VHP's Virat Hindu Samajotsava to be held on Monday March 9 at MGM ground. The entire city is adorned in saffron.
The road leading to the venue has been colourfully decked with saffron flags on both sides. The Samajotsava will begin with a grand procession from Jodukatte at 2 pm, culminating at MGM ground.
The posters, banners and hoardings have been erected beside the road depicting the religious scenes at Karavali and Udupi area. The activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad have put banners with slogans creating awareness about Hindu dharma.
Under the leadership of SP Annamalai, along with DC R Vishal, adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful Samajotsava.
Sadhvi Balika Saraswati invited
Meanwhile, following the week-long ban on VHP chief Pravin Togadia who was supposed to be the main speaker at the Samajotsava, the VHP district unit has invited Sadhvi Balika Saraswati from Madhya Pradesh, who was also the main speaker at the Hindu Samajotsava in Mangaluru on March 1.
The VHP is also learnt to have invited Surendra Kumar Jain, all-India secretary of VHP, as the main speaker.
The VHP has not yet confirmed as to who among the two would replace Togadia.
Venue
A 12-ft high platform has been set up to hold the Samajotsava stage programme. Images of Swami Vivekananda and Shivaji will adorn the backdrop symbolically denoting peace and revolution respectively. Banyan tree, the emblem of the VHP will adorn the front portion of the podium.
The oil paintings of Shridar Thottam and Raghavendra Amin team of Thottam Chitra art will provide 3D effect on the stage with messages on it.
The 20*10 feet of Ayodye Rama will the centre of attraction which is presented by using 3D effects. The 3.5 lac worth painting is the first experiment of its kind during Samajotsava.
There is no entry fee for the event. Students and the general public can participate in the grand Samajotsava.
Security
The security has been beefed up with six DySPs, 20 CPIs, 75 PSIs, 145 ASIs, 1005 head/police constables, 48 women police, 100 home guards, 15 KSRP and 24 DAR personnel at the venue. Nearly 150 CCTV cameras have been installed and 22 check posts are operational on border areas.
Sale on liquor will be banned on Monday March 9 in the district from 6 am to 6 pm.
The administration and the police department have left no stone unturned to ensure that the event goes on peacefully. The organizers have been instructed to end the programme by 5.30 pm.