Sri Lankan PM offers prayers at Kollur temple

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe performed 'Shatha Chandikayaga' and offered prayers to Goddess Mookambika at Kollur in Kundapur taluk on Tuesday.

The prime minister landed at the Areshiroor helipad at 10.20 am in an IAF chopper and proceeded through road to Kollur. He was offered a grand welcome on the temple premises by Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis and other dignitaries, including representatives of the temple administration.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was accompanied by his wife Maithree.

Chief priest Dr K N Narasimha Adiga said the couple only consumed 'Payasam'.

The priest said the poojas were performed since November 19. The couple took part in the final ritual, the 'Mahapooja,' 'Rathothsava' and also 'Archane'.

As many as 31 priests took part in 'homa', he said. The temple trust president and managing trustee Harish Kumar M Shetty said the Sri Lankan prime minister and his wife arrived at 11 am and the pooja was completed at 12:25 pm. They later had 'darshan' of the deity, Adiga said. Thereafter, the couple spent some time at the RNS guest house.