Dining facility inaugurated at the Kunjarugiri temple

Report and Pictures by Anil Alva

Padubelle, 30 January 2010: The dining facility to the pilgrims at the Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kunjarugir was inaugurated by the pontiff of the Shri Adhamaru Mutt, Udupi, Shri Vishwapriya Theertha on Friday, 29th January 2010 at 10am. The devotees and pilgrims would be able to take the food offered by the temple authorities in this facility that was constructed aat the cost of one crore ten lakhs of rupees.

The inaugural function was attended by eminent guests. The Home Minister of Karnataka, Dr. V.S. Acharya was the chief guest at the function. Other guests of honour included: Mr. Suresh shetty-Health Minister in the Government of Maharashtra, Mr. Lalaji R. Mendon-MLA of the Kaup Constittuency who also presided over the inaugural function, Mr. D.V. Sadananda Gowda-MP, Mr. Gopal Shetty and Mr. Krishna Hegde-Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Mr. Gopla Bhandary-MLA from Karkala, Mr. Raghupathi Bhat-MLA from Udupi, Mr. Mahesh Shetty-President of the Kurkal Grama Panchayat, Mr. Vira Shankar Shetty-Honorary President of Bunts Sangha, Mumbai and Mr. Venkateshwara Muchintaya-Executive President of the Renovation Committee.

The inaugural programme was opened with prayer by Shri Gopal Bhat-the priest of the Kunjarugiri Temple. Mr. Venkateshwara Muchintaya welcomed the guests and the gathering, Mr. Devdas Hebbar made the introductory remarks and the pontiff of the Shri Adhamaru Mutt lighted the lamp and declared the tower at the entrance of the dining building and the dining facility opened.

The donors who contributed to the construction of the dining facility were honoured by the pontiff of the Adhamaru Mutt by presenting them shawls. In his speech, Dr. V.S. Acharya said that as the Kunjarugiri Hills occupy the strategic location and a panoramic view of the beauty of surrounding nature can be had from the top of the hill, it can be developed as a tourist centre along with the traditional religious place of pilgrimage.