Pics: Keerthi Mangaluru

Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Oct 25: Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, announced several important social service projects on the occasion of celebration of 50th anniversary of his coronation as the Dharmadhikari. These projects include yoga and nature therapy hospital at Nelamangala, Bengaluru, school at Mangaluru on the land worth eight crore rupees donated by Ramakrishna Mallya, new hospital at SDM Ayurveda College, Udupi and expansion of research centre at Dharwad.

Dr Heggade made the above announcements after accepting felicitation at Amruthavarshini Sabha Bhavana, Dharmasthala, from the villagers, staff and devotees of the temple and other organizations.

Dr Heggade said, "I believe that the blessings of Lord Manjunatha helped me to achieve the development of Shree Kshethra in the last 50 years. I would like to say that the golden age has started now for me. I have grown due to the divine power of this holy place. I have the satisfaction of providing culture and love to all the people who are with me serving at this Kshethra. Honest people are my treasure. Divinity of the Kshethra, fear of Annappa and the love which we confer on the devotees have helped us to find success. Everything is going on smoothly because of the support of the family members and the villagers."

Yaduveera Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, member of the Mysuru Royal family, presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion he said "Education and service are important for the society and Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala is carrying this out since many years. I really feel happy that Dharmasthala has got award at national level for Cleanliness. I also have fond memories of Kumarayya Heggade, giving Yakshagana peformance at Mysuru palace with his troupe. There is also record in Shree Kshetra of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar donating large quantity of Sandalwood. Mysuru palace has very emotional bond with Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala since time immemorial and this will increase in coming years."

Veteran writer, Dr Gururaja Karjagi, delivering congratulatory address to Dr Heggade, said, "the joy one gets in giving is much more than the joy of receiving. Dr Heggade is one of those great human beings who find joy in giving. Dr Heggade has changed the very definition of religion. He has the distinction of bringing order in the society. Swami Vivekananda and Dr. Heggade are the two great people the world has seen."

Prof S Prabhakar, vice president of SDM Educational Institutions, Gopal Menon, Krishna Singh, Seetharama Tholpadithaya, Anantha Padmanabha Bhat, Divakara Prabhu, Bujabali, Dhanakirthi Shetty, Staff members etc were felicitated on the occasion.

District-in-charge minister Ramanatha Rai, Yaduveera Wadiyar and other dignitaries felicitated Dr Heggade.

Thinkers Seetharama Tholpadithaya and Anantha Padmanabha Bhat expressed their feelings. Hemavathi V Heggade, D Harshendra Kumar, Supriya Harshendra Kumar, D Rajendra Kumar, D Surendra Kumar, Padmalatha, Dr Niranjan, Amit, Shraddha Amit, Neeta, Shreyas Kumar, Samvitha, Nischal Kumar, Mohandasa Swamiji of Sreedhama, Manila, and MLA, K Abhayachandra Jain, were present.

D Harshendra and Shantharama Pai welcomed the gathering. Lakshminarayana Rao read out the congratulatory letter. Ramachandra, Girish and Padmavati compered the programme.