The Nethravathi Samrakshana Samyukta Samithi under the leadership of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel took out a rathayatra, ‘Pancha theertha - Sapta Kshetra,’ from Kukke Subrahmanya on Saturday.
The rathayatra will cover all the five taluks and eight Assembly constituencies in the district and culminate at Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple on December 12.
Subrahmanya Samputa Narasimhaswamy Mutt seer Sri Vidyaprasanna Theertha Swami said that a river diversion project will have a catastrophic consequences on Dakshina Kannada. River Nethravathi is the lifeline of the district. The project should opposed at any cost. “Diverting the natural course of a river is against Nature. All the citizens, irrespective of party, caste, and creed, should oppose the project,” the seer said.
He also urged the state government and elected representatives to stop the project.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who is leading the rathayatra, said that he will fight till the Yettinahole project is dropped. “Through Yettinahole project, the State government is conspiring to divert River Nethravathi. All of us should fight for the cause unitedly and strive to save River Nethravathi.”
Kanyana Mutt seer Sri Mahabala Swami said that if River Nethravathi dries up, then the groundwater table in the district will decrease drastically.
Manila seer Sri Mohandas Swami said that the people of Dakshina Kannada would condemn any move to divert River Nethravathi. The Yettinahole project is unscientific and against Nature.
Before the commencement of the rathayatra, a Ganga pooja was performed to River Kumaradhara at Kukke Subrahmanya. Water from the river was collected in the kalasha. Colourful dolls, folk teams, Chende from Kerala band, Nasik Band and others were part of the rathayatra.
From Subrahmanya, the chariot moved towards Nelyadi-Kokkada-Dharmasthala and halted at Ujire.
Ganga Seva Samithi president Anand Swroop Swami, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik and MLA Angara were present.
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