The spectacularNavarathri' celebration at Kudroli's Shree Gokarnatheshwara temple is known world-over for its opulence and grandeur. Credit for this in no small measure goes to the tireless work undertaken by the temple trustees under the baton of former Union Minister B. Janardhana Poojary. It was Poojary who first introduced the theme ofMangalore Dasara Shobha Yathra' in the year 1991. The former KPCC President is like a patriarch for the entire Billava community, a crucial voice in all major decisions pertaining to the temple management. In a one-on-one chat with Nina Rai, the 71-year-old Poojary spoke passionately about the “Symbol of pride of the Billava community.”
He began by first tracing the roots of Shri Gokarnatheshwara temple and how the temple was finally consecrated by Shri Narayana Guru in 1912 at Kudroli. Poojary then narrated a path-breaking event which took place in 1989. The temple trustees, he said, thought of undertaking the renovation of the temple. Permission was sought from him on the same. When informed of sufficient funds, he too gave the go ahead. However, at the last minute to his dismay Poojary discovered that there weren't sufficient funds available to carry out the restoration work. One of the major patrons too backed off from making donation. It was then decided to hold a meeting of community members in the main hall. From amongst the huge gathering a beggar came up on stage and offered 5 paise as his contribution for the cause.
When this was objected to by some members, Poojary informed them that the 5 paise was indeed precious as it was an offering from the heart. Following this gesture, there was a deluge of money amounting to crores pouring into the coffers of the temple treasury. Suddenly some one asked to see where the beggar was who had set off this auspicious tiding; but he seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Till today it is being said that probably it was a divine intervention in the form of beggar, to get the temple renovation work started.
Poojary also stated that when the renovation for the temple was completed in 1991 for the first time in the history of India a Prime Minister namely Rajiv Gandhi came and inaugurated a temple, at that point in time. Also, this is the only temple in the world which simultaneously installs all the Navadurgas and Sharada idol in one particular place. Another unique feature of the Dasara Utsav in Kudroli is the performance of Saraswathi puja or Sharada puja here during Navarathri, which is never seen in any other part of the country, he informed.
This year a unique social initiative has been taken, particularly with regard to the plight of widows, informed Poojary. Around 1500 widows from all over the region will take part in pujas during Dasara festivities along with other women in the temple premises. They will be feted with rice, bangles and flowers and given an opportunity to pull the silver chariot of the temple. This honor is being given as despite living in the 21st century the status of widows has remained unchanged. Society still alienates them at social gathering and looks down on them as outcastes, he added.
With regard to a specific query on what impact this temple had on the psyche of the Billava community, Poojary replied “It occupies the pride of place in the hearts of the community resulting in their up-liftment. It is the “Kashi of the Billava community' a place which has resulted in theirDyanodaya.' Several educational institutions have been instituted here,” he added.
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