‘All roads to Dharmasthala to be upgraded’

Public Works Minister H D Revanna said all roads, leading to Dharmasthala, will be upgraded at a total cost of Rs 23.5 crore as the Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali is being planned in February 2019.

“With the Centre’s grant of Rs 100 crore, B C road-Dharmasthala stretch will be widened,’’ Revanna said while laying the foundation stone for the road developmental works planned to mark the golden jubilee of Sri Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade’s ascension to the Dharmadhikari Peeta.

He said tenders have already been floated with a condition that the upgradation of works should be completed before January 2019.

Revanna said the renovated Manjusha museum in Dharmasthala is a model museum to the entire world. Dr Heggade’s work on renovating and infusing fresh life into crumbling temples is commendable. Such works are worthy of emulation, he said.

Hemavathy V Heggade, wife of Heggade, releasing a book chronicling the life and achievements of Dr D Veerendra Heggade, described Heggade as a creative and thinking person.

“He made good use of the opportunity given to him by the God and increased the sanctity of his legacy. Heggade’s selfless services are a model to the entire world,” she said and added that his yearly diaries are research-worthy.

MP Nalin Kumar Kattel said Heggade has transformed Dharmasthala into a Ramarajya.

Fruits and an amount of Rs 2.75 lakh, contributed by staff and devotees, was handed over to Minister for Urban Development and housing U T Khader.

Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja released a CD.

Heggade said a nature cure hospital will be opened at Nelamangala, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. An English medium school will be started in Mangaluru and upgradation of Ayurveda hospitals in Udupi and Hassan is being planned, he added.

He also made public that the SDM Medical College in Dharwad has been granted autonomus status.