Mangaluru: A preparatory meeting for the 13th annual padayatra at Dharmasthala lakshadeepotsava, was held at the Ramakrishna Sabha Mantapa of the Sri Janardhana Swamy temple in Ujire on Tuesday.Speaking at the meeting, Sharath Krishna Padvetnayar, the hereditary administrative trustee of the Sri Janardhana Swamy temple in Ujire, said that the pilgrimage, which began with just 500 people under the guidance of late B Yashovarma and the late Vijaya Raghava Padvetnayar, has now grown into a large event. He emphasised that with the devotion and co-operation of the community elders, this has evolved into a religious tradition. He expressed confidence that the pilgrimage, which was conducted with great discipline, will continue in the same manner.Purun Varma, the chief executive officer of the IT and hostel administration division of Ujire’s SDM Educational Institution, said that everyone should gather at Janardhana Swamy Temple on Nov 15 at 2.30 pm. The 13th annual padayatra will commence at 3 pm, and the procession will reach Dharmasthala temple at 3.30 pm. Arrangements for water and jaggery will be made for the devotees participating. After reaching the temple, a blessing ceremony by D Veerendra Heggade will be held at 5.30 pm, he said.Harish Kumar, former MLC and chairman of Mangalore Mescom, and Shantaram Pai, the chief financial officer of Dharmasthala, also spoke at the meeting.
