Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Dec 19: Vinay Guruji from Gaurigaddde in Chikkamagaluru district, under the leadership of the national vice president of Juna Akhara sect of Naga school of Sadhus, Agastyagiri Maharaj, consecrated a huge Narmadeshwara Lingam here. The consecration was performed on the occasion of the anniversary of the consecration of Sri Dattashram Adi Shakti Math at Hebbarabettu in Anagalli near here.
Several religious rituals such as offering milk to the deity, anointing of the Lingam with ghee, honey, tender coconut water, red sandalwood, turmeric powder, vermillion, ashes, sugar and pouring of sugarcane juice on the idol were conducted since Wednesday morning. Devotees raised cries of 'Harahara Mahadeva' slogan in praise of the Lord. Adivasa Homa, Dattabhisheka, Shata Rudrabhisheka, Pavana Homa, Durgashati Homa and other poojas were performed. More than seven thousand devotees took part in community feast held later in the day.
Basrur Mahatobhara Mahalingeshwara temple managing trustee Appanna Hegde, astrologer Tattavattu, Vasudev Jois, former Byndoor MLA, K Gopala Poojary, member of the state legislative council, Puttanna, RSS leader Subrahmanaya Holla, entrepreneur, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Yashpal Suvarna, Chandra Gowda Jayapura, zilla panchayat member, Geetanjali Suvarna, Anagalli Dattashrama’s Subhash Poojary Sangam, Parveen S Poojary, Yashodha S Poojary, Harish Tolar Kollur, Sangam Friends Sangam, Pragati Yuvaka Mandala Anagalli and Geleyara Balaga Anagalli members were present.
More than 1,300 Naga Sadhus, Seetarama sect Sadhus, Aghori Babas and ascetics from north India and other parts of the country had arrived to take part in the programme.
Religious leader B Appanna Hegde, said that large scale voluntary participation of Sadhus in the programme indicates the uniqueness and sanctity of the place where this temple stands.
The idol is about seven and half feet high and is said to be first idol of such a size being installed in south India. Harish Tolar of Dattashrama Anagalli said that people of all religions are welcome to offer Pooja here.