Pics: Wilson D'Souza Shirva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 19: Minister for Muzrai, Kota Srinivas Poojary on Sunday July 18 visited the newly built Lord Siddhivinayaka temple built by Gabriel Nazareth at Shirva and received darshan.

Minister Kota speaking to media persons said, "Being a former successful entrepreneur and ardent devotee, Gabriel has been worshipping lord Ganesha for many decades though he hails from a Christian community. The temple design and courtyard were built artistically and the statue of Vinayaka is carved out beautifully. Though Gabriel belongs to a Christian community, he dedicated the temple to devotees without discrimination of class, caste and religion. Such noble work is rarely visible in the nation and state. On behalf of the Karnataka government and Muzrai and Endowment department, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate him, the architects and those who helped complete the temple. If they want any kind of help, we will be there for them. I wish the performance of all puja be conducted with no disturbance. There should be held bhajan saptahas at the center. Let this temple be the center of a cultural programme. I hope and pray that people of all races, all religions worship God and have God's grace upon them."

Kota Srinivas honoured Gabriel with a shawl and congratulated him for his devotion.

Gabriel Nazareth, Sathish Shetty Mallar, Giridhar Prabhu, Prasad Shetty Kuthyar, Rajesh Nayak, Srinivas, Shane gram panchayat member, Praveen Salian, gram panchayat member, Prashanth Palume, Rajesh, Jayanth, Dinesh Poojary, Nithin Nayak, Suraj, president, Satyanath Bhajan Mandali, Jathrabittu and others were present.