UDUPI: The Council for Kanaka Sadbhavana Jyoti Rath Yatra, Bengaluru, organized the 529th birth anniversary celebrations of saint-poet Kanakadasa from November 8 to 17. The yatra began at Bengaluru and proceeded to Davanagere, Shivamogga, Bhadravati, Tarikere, Birur, Kadur, Arasikere, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Mangaluru and reached Udupi on Thursday.
At Udupi, the procession went through the city and a special puja was offered before the Kanakadasa idol at
Krishna Mutt
on Car Street. A huge number of Kuruba communities participated in the procession.
Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt spoke about Kanakadasa. “Kanaka's philosophy always gives importance to Bhakti. His resolution was devotion, which did not limit itself to one caste. Within the Paryaya term, Kanaka Mandir will be ready and the chief minister will inaugurate it. Krishna Mutt will be contributing Rs 25 lakh for the renovation of the mandir.”
Speaking about Jyoti Rath Yatra, state president of the council Om Sri Krishnamoorthi said, “The jyoti started from the birth place of Kanakadasa ‘Bada’. From there, Sri Niranjanananda Swamiji of
Kanaka Guru Peetha
lit the jyoti. After crossing seven districts, the procession reached Udupi. On July 10, 2016, the bhoomi puja for renovation of Kanaka Mandir was held. The Pejawar seer and minister of state for fisheries, youth empowerment and sports Pramod Madhwaraj assured all support from the government.
Shobha Karandlaje also assured support from the central government. A samithi from Mahabalipuram has given Rs 25 lakh advance for the work.”
District president Vishwanath said renovation of Sri Kanakadasa will be taken up at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. “Kanaka Mandir will be constructed with the support of the Kuruba community across the state. As present, there are no issues between us. Pejawar swamiji has the support and will bring all of us together.”
State and district
Kurubara Sangha
organized various programmes during the procession, and most of the artistic performances were by children. More than 11 groups performed to different kinds of music -- there was tiger dance, fancy dress, drum play with human pyramid and hundreds of ladies carried kumba.
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