By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)

Mumbai, Mar 10: The foundation-stone laying ceremony for the construction of Shani Mandir by Shanimahatma Puja Samiti Kote ® was held at Nallasopara (West) on Wednesday March 9.

Swami Vishveshateerta Swami of Pejavar Mutt, Udupi, laid the foundation stone for building the Shani Mandir on Wednesday morning.

Krishnamurti Samaga led the religious celebrations along with Koyyur Nandakumar Tantri and Shanishwar temple chief priest Krishna Ganiga.

Swami Vishveshateerta, in his message to the gathering, said that the natives of Karnataka who are settled in the metro are religious in fostering the worship that has been performed over generations.

Meanwhile, he offered prayers for global peace and protection of India from all forms of terrorism.

Nallasopara MLA Kshitij H Thakur presided over the programme.

Samiti president Shankar Shetty, vice-president Ramesh Kothari, honorary secretary Sundar Belchada, and treasurer Umesh Mendon, were present on the dais. 

Former municipal councillor Umesh Naik, local corporators Vijay Rane and Naresh Jadhav, Virar – Nallasopara Karnataka Sangh former president Virar Shankar B Shetty, Devadiga Sangh former president Dharmapal U Devadiga, Bunts Sangh Vasai – Dahanu regional committee president Jagannath N Rai, Bunts Sangh Bellary president Bellary Suresh Shetty, Mira – Dahanu Bunts Sangh president Prakash Hegde, Bombay Bunts Association president Jayanth K Shetty, Kulala Sangh president P K Salian, Mookambika temple Fansoli managing trustee Anni C Shetty, Shanishwar Mandir – Nerul managing trustee Ramesh Poojary, as well as entrepreneurs Shankar K T and Jagdish Amin Vasai, were present on the dais.

‘Vali Moksha’, Yakshagana ‘talaamaddale’, was staged by Polya Laxminarayana Shetty and group, and was sponsored by Kodlady Shivaram B Shetty as part of the cultural programme.

Joint secretary Devdas Salian compered the programme.  Joint treasurer Vasant Shetty proposed the vote of thanks.