CM to open All India Veerashaiva meet

The preparations are in full swing for the programme, even as tiny village and the spiritual centre of Suttur mutt is provided a bridal look for the mega event.

The event is being jointly organised by the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha and Suttur Mutt. The All India conference of the apex body of the Veerashaivas is being held after a gap of 19 years.

The event organisers are expecting about 3-4 lakh people belonging to Veerashaiva (Lingayath) community to take part in the meet. Participants will be drawn from  across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country. Veerashaiva people residing in foreign countries would also attend the conference in big numbers. Besides, about 10,000 delegates comprising Indians and non-resident Indians will also attend, president of the reception committee and MLC Thontadarya told reporters here.

He said the organisers have made special arrangements for the conference. Two huge stages- Siddalingeshwara Mantapa and Mahadeshwara Mantapa is being set up for the conference. More than 30,000 people could be accomodated at a time for the various deliberations, he informed. The three-day conference would host a exhibition on rich heritage of Veerashaiva tradition, history and an expo on the great achievers of the community along with hosting more than 300 stalls.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa would inaugurate the conference on April 17 at 10 am, he said. Excise Minister Renukacharya and others were present at the press meet.