Udupi: The first annual Vardhunsava of Sri Ekanatheshwari Temple, Kachhur, Barkur, was held from February 17 to 19, 2019, with devotion and gaiety.
During the valedictory of the Vardhunsava, felicitation to achievers and a discourse on Sri Ekanatheshwari Devi’s existence were held in a stage programme.
B Annayya Sherigar, President and Trustee of Sri Ekanatheshwari Temple presided over the programme. Sri Sri Vishwa Bharati Swamiji of Barkur Mahasamsthana, Barkur, blessed the occasion. Sri Damodher Chaitanya, Acharya Chinmaya Mission, Suralu, Dharmapal U Devadiga, President of All India Tulu Okkoota, Mangaluru, Dr. K V Devadiga, Neuro Surgeon, Mangaluru, P Ramanna Sherigar, Proprietor of Hotel Ajantha, Belagavi, Suresh D Padukone, Entrepreneur in Mumbai, Narayan M Devadiga, Entrepreneur in Dubai, Harish Sherigar, Dubai, Raghavendra A Devadiga, owner of Hotel Navarathna Sangli, Dr. Devaraj K, Temple Organising Committee President and Founder Director of SDM College of Business Management, Mangaluru and others were present on the dais.
The programme began with an invocation by Jyothi. One minute of silence was observed condoling the martyrdom of soldiers in Pulwama attack. Narashimha B Devadiga, General Secretary and Trustee of the temple, welcomed the gathering. Dr. Devaraj K welcomed the chief guests on the dais by honouring them with shawls and mementos.
Janardhan B Devadiga, Vice President and Trustee, delivered the keynote address. Sri Sri Vishwa Santhosh Bharati Swamiji inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp along with guests on the dais.
In his inaugural address, Sri Sri Santhosh Bharati Swamiji said that the Indian government should make Pakistan pay for its “direct involvement” in terrorism in India. “There is no way that the general elections can be postponed but without any political interference, India should give a proper reply to the killings of 44 Indian soldiers,” he said.
Swamiji delivered a lecture on the existence of Sri Eknatheshwari Devi as per the vedic sources. “Barkur is a place with 365 temples. It is rich in religious traditions of Hindus and also various other communities. Every year ‘Alupotsava’ will be held in Barkur under the aegis of Tourism department and district administration,” said Swamiji.
A felicitation programme was held for the achievers in the community. Some of the achievers felicitated were Annu Devadiga, Manjunath Devadiga, Rishank Devadiga, Sudharkar Devadiga and Chandru Esale.
