Govt mulls use of Kannada for puja at temples

Bengaluru: Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday said that the government will try to introduce Kannada Shlokas/Mantras for Puja at Muzrai temples.He was responding to the question by BJP’s Bharathi Shetty, who said many devotees don’t understand Sanskrit shlokas.

“If they (priests) chant Shlokas or Mantras in Kannada, it will be easier for devotees to understand their meaning. I request the government to take necessary measures to introduce Kannada,” she said. 

She said writer-thinker Hiremagaluru Kannan uses Kannada while performing Puja (at Kodandarama temple at Hiremagaluru in Chikkamagaluru district) and urged the government to follow his model.

The minister said, “We cannot insist upon Kannada during Puja as currently both Kannada and Sanskrit are being used in Agama Education, but we will try to introduce it in a phased manner.”

Replying to questions by members about cleanliness at Muzrai temples, Reddy said, “Use of plastic at temples will be banned from August 15”.