Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (RJP)
Kundapur, Feb 19: “Not only kings, but even ordinary people constructed temples in the olden days. Then they made sure that poojas were held continuously without any obstruction. But the British who came to India for trade, played with the tradition. We had land and food to eat, but no power to do anything meaningful. But the things have changed now. We have power. Accordingly temples ate renovated now.” said Dr Veerendra Heggade the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara temple.
He was speaking after inaugurating the foundation stone laying programme of new Olasuththu Pauli and religious programme at Sri Mahalingeshwara temple at Ultoor near here on Saturday, February 18.
“There are positive things in modern society. People are self reliant. Discrimination has disappeared after independence because of education. This has made us more patriotic. Temples are coming up even in small villages because of kind hearted donors. Even the least contributes here , which is commendable.” he added.
Dharmadhikari also called upon the people to maintain physical hygiene and health in order to gain spiritual cleanliness. “God cannot live in an unhygienic body. He wants total cleanliness of body, mind and soul in order to reside there.” he said citing the psalms of Basavanna.
Dr Veerendra Heggade was felicitated on the occasion. Dr Heggade honoured B Appanna, the main force behind the renovation of many temples around Kundapur.
Kollur temple former administrator B Sukumar Shetty, entrepreneur Prakash Shetty, Hariprasad Rai Bellippadi from Prasanna Ganapati temple in Manipal, Surendra Hegde from temple administration were present among others.