Curtains down on Dattamala Abhiyan

Proxy Paduka used for prayer; no untoward incidents took place

Sri Ram Sene National President Pramod Muthalik addressing a religious meet after the rituals at Dattapeeth, on Sunday, said that he is raged by the fact that Datta cave has not been repaired within the stipulated time limit.

He warned of intense protest in case the authorities fail to complete the repair work before next December.

“This government seems to have lost all its senses. Where is the MLA who got elected swearing by Hindus. The BJP Government has manifested ungratefulness by forgetting Dattapeeth,” he said predicting that the plight of the BJP Government is nothing but Datta’s curse.

“Many have been put behind the bars while many more are in the waiting. It is time for the BJP leaders to wear the ‘Dattamala’ and serve Lord Dattathreya and pray for forgiveness,” said Muthalik.

Paduka Darshan
He said that district administration and Government have denied permission for ‘Datta Paduka Darshan’. “This is highly condemnable. We want the Government to allow Paduka Darshan next year, failing which, the Government and the district administration will have to face dire consequences,” said Muthalik.

Proxy Padukas!
Since the district administration did not permit Datta Paduka Darshan, wooden ‘Padukas’ were brought from Hasan and prayer was offered. Devotees shouted out names of Lord Dattathreya during the prayer.

Before the religious programmes, Muthalik flagged off the ‘Shobhayatre’ near Kamadhenu Temple in the city. The procession passed through Basavanahalli main road, reached Old Taluk Office, Hanumanthappa circle, I G Road and culminated at Bolarameshwara temple. Earlier a section of devotees took the ‘Irumudi’ after bathing in Honnammanahalla.

They walked their way to the top of the hill and offered the ‘Irumudi’ to the deity amidst biting cold.

The Abhiyan to the peeth was started after the Shobhayatre and large number of devotees went to the top of the hill in vehicles.

The district administration had put up temporary sheds where ritualistic prayers were offered to a portrait of Lord Dattathreya. Seers from various Maths took part in the prayers, homa and havana organised here, thereby ending this years’ Abhiyan.

Devotees has come from Mangalore, Udupi, Hubli, Dharwad, Mysore, Hasan, Shimoga and various other places.

Security
As many as 1,200 cops were deputed in the district to maintain law and order. The cops were seen keeping tight vigil in the region to avert outbreak of any chaos. Since no activities could take place 200 mts around the caves the district administration made arrangements for the religious rituals away from the restricted area.

The police were deputed at various spots in the city since two days. They were stationed all along the route to the peeth. Vehicles were checked across 16 check posts in the district.