Kateel April 7: The grand Ashtabandha Brahmakalashotsava and Nagamandala celebrations concluded here with lakhs of devotees attending the final rituals at Shree Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel, today 6 April 2007. Working President Mr Nalin Kumar Kateel welcomed the gathering and thanked each and everyone who helped the committee in making this programme a grand success.

Subrahmanya seer Sri Vidyaprasanna Theertha Swamiji graced the occasion and gave a discourse on 'Nagamandala'. He invoked the blessings of Durga Devi at the concluding ceremony of Brahmakalashotsava and Nagamandala, and said that Nagaradhane is performed for three reasons and they are 'Santhathi', 'Sampathu' and 'Arogya'. "Nagapathri and Nagakannike are two types of folk dances that are performed as part of Nagamandala to please the serpent God 'Nagaraja'", he said.

Hon'ble Minister for Medical Education and Animal Husbandry Dr V S Acharya said that twin districts of DK and Udupi are blessed with many holy places with historical significance.

Brahmakalashotsava Samiti Hon'ble President and District In-charge minister B Nagaraj Shetty while giving his presidential address remembered his service of 16 years in various religious programmes and temples in the district. He expressed his gratitude towards Durgadevi and the people of same district for their support in his endeavors as a MLA and as a Minister.

The special guest of todays programme, Chief Minister of Karnataka, H D Kumaraswamy admired the temple management and organizing committee for organizing this grand spectacular celebration. He lauded the rich culture and Hindu tradition of this temple.

CM also honoured Pavanje Anantharaj Bhat, who has been working at Kateel temple as a cook for the past 50 years.
 
Bondala Sachidanada Shetty, Purushotham Shetty, Suresh Shetty, Shobha Shetty, Babu Shetty, Aikala Harish Shetty and Karnire Vishwanath Shetty were also honoured by the Chief Minister. 

Mulky-Moodbidri MLA K Abhayachandra Jain appealed to the chief minister for building a 100 room lodging facility at Kateel and a high-tech drainage system.

Sridhama Manila Mohandas Swamiji, Surathkal MLA J Krishna Palemar, Former Minister K Amarnath Shetty, Chairman of New Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi Dr B R Shetty, Bantara Sangha President, Mumbai Dr Padmanabha V Shetty, MLA N Yogish Bhat, Founder Trustee Shree Annapoorneshwari Temple, Hosanadu, Kodyadka Jayaram Hegde, DC M Maheshwar Rao, ZP CEO A M Kunjappa, State Apex Bank President M N Rajeendra Kumar, D Suresh Rao, Assistant Commissioner S Krishnamurthy, Aikala Harish Shetty and Omayya Shetty were also present at the occasion.

Karnataka State Cabinet Rank and Execise Minister Mr Jagadeesh Shettar and Cabinet Rank Agricultural Minister Mr Kashappanavar also visited the temple today.

The cultural programmes included Kathakkali Dance by Kerala Kalamandalam Trishoor, Kerala and Karanataka Classical Sangeetha by Vidwan Malladi Brothers.

A 'Halittu seve', prior to the Nagamandala and Nagamandala was witnessed by more than one and half lakh devotees on a open ground stage erected at Kudru(island) in the middle of Nandini river.

Mangalorean