Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Mar 17: The Manmaharotsava of historic and ancient Mookambika temple concluded here on Tuesday. A large number of devotees from the surrounding villages visited the temple.

The religious rituals of the rathotsava began at 11.35 instead of 9.30 as the priest had to go home and return after purification. The two festival idols were taken in procession after Muhoortha Bali, Kshipra Bali and Ratha Bali as per tradition.

The state government had imposed restrictions on public celebrations. The district administration had asked temple leaders on Monday to celebrate annual car festival in a simple manner with few devotees on Tuesday.

There were restrictions on arrival of vehicles of devotees and people from Shivamogga, Kundapur and Byndoor since Tuesday morning. Those in vehicles argued with the police personnel who were controlling traffic, objecting to the long wait of vehicles.

Kollur temple management committee president Harishkumar M Shetty, members K V Sridhar Adiga, Vadamballi Jayaram Shetty, Ramesh Ganiga Kollur, Abhilash P V, Narasimha Halageri, Rajesh Karanth, Jayanti Vijayakrishna and former committee member Chucchi Narayan Shetty were present.

People object

People objected to the delayed celebrations and had heated arguments with the temple heads. Strict police security was arranged in the leadership of Kundapur police sub division ASP Hariram Shankar.