People from DK, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Mandya take out ‘jatha’ to Dharmasthala to protest ‘smear campaign’ against temple

A large number of people, including present and former elected representatives from Dakshina Kannada, Mandya, Mysuru and Bengaluru South Parliamentary constituencies, took out a ‘jatha’ to Dharmasthala on Monday to condemn the “sinister” campaign against the Dharmasthala Majunatheshwara temple and its administrators.

MP for Dakshina Kannada, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Y. Bharath Shetty, Harish Poonja, and Rajesh Naik, BJP Dakshina Kannada president Satish Kumpala, and Alva’s Education Foundation chairman M. Mohan Alva, were among those who visited the Annappa Swamy Betta to offer prayers. Later, they came to the temple to offer special prayers before the deity. Then they met ‘Pattadhikari’ of Dharmasthala temple, D. Veerendra Heggade, who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Heggade said that with the grace of God, the truth related to the alleged mass burial of bodies was coming out. With the support and encouragement of devotees, the temple will continue more vigorously with its social service initiatives.

A group of people from Mandya and Mysuru, led by former MLA Sa.Ra. Mahesh and former MP K.S. Puttaraju also visited the temple.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Mahesh welcomed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arresting the 45-year-old complainant in the mass burial case. “We want the government to reveal the names of the persons who have conspired to malign the image of Dharmasthala Temple, which has a large following,” Mr. Mahesh said.

The JD(S) leaders met Mr. Heggade and then had the darshan of Manjunateshwara. They left Dharmasthala after receiving ‘prasadam’ at the temple.

Similarly, several BJP party workers from Bengaluru South Parliamentary constituency came to Dharmasthala in over 400 cars. They also met Mr. Heggade to express their anguish over the “smear” campaign.

A group of Belthangady residents, including K. Pratap Simha Nayak, MLC, submitted representations to the tahsildar and the SIT seeking action against individuals and groups maligning the Dharmasthala temple on social media.

Over 100 devotees from Bengaluru, led by Hanumantappa Guruji, walked from the ‘Snana Ghatta’ (bathing ghat) to the temple by reciting ‘Shiva Panchakshari’. They had the darshan of the deity in the temple and offered special prayers.