Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup
Kaup, Oct 29: In a deeply spiritual and traditional observance, the family of Dharmapala U Devadiga, president of the Devadiga Mahamandala and former president of the Devadiga Sangha, Mumbai, fulfilled their long-cherished vow (harake) by offering the Mari Puja at the Sri Devi Sannidhi of Sri Hale Mariamma Temple, Kaup–Uchila, on the auspicious Tuesday of the Tula month under the Swasti Sri Vishvavasu Nama Samvatsara.
The sacred ceremony began as Dharmapala Devadiga and his wife Sujatha Dharmapala lit the ceremonial lamp, invoking their family deity, Sri Ekanatheshwari Devi, to mark the commencement of the vow-fulfilling rituals.
The Devadiga family fondly remembered their late parents, Appi U Devadiga and Umanna Devadiga, of Sri Satya Nivas, Kapu. In their honour, the family conducted the rituals with deep reverence and traditional devotion.
As dusk fell, devotees assembled at the Sri Venkataramana Temple, Kapu, where floral offerings (Hoovina Puja) were performed. A grand procession (meravanige) then made its way to the Sri Hale Mariamma Temple, where the family completed the Mari Puja amidst chanting, drums, and devotional fervour.
Chief priest K Kamalaksha Shenoi led the religious rites, blessing the assembled devotees and lauding the Devadiga family’s commitment to faith and tradition. “Performing Mari Puja with such devotion keeps our ancestral faith alive for future generations,” he remarked. Priests Narayana Patari and Dayananda Patari ably assisted in the rituals.
The following day, Wednesday, various concluding ceremonies were held, after which a prasada meal was served at the hall, marking the successful culmination of the vow and the fulfilment of the Mari Puja.
Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, Chitra Sherigar, Dr Rahul Sherigar, Dr Poonam R. Sherigar, Pavan D Devadiga, Nimmi Pavan, Prasad Gopaladas Shenai (administrative trustee, temple), Chandrashekar R Belchad (administrative trustee, Sasihitlu Sri Bhagavathi Temple), Ravi S Devadiga (president, Devadiga Sangha Mumbai), Ganesh Devadiga Ambalpady, Surendra Mendan (Udupi), Surendra Shetty (Siyarama), P V Mohan, and Sudesh Devadiga (Karad), among many others.
Hundreds of devotees joined the family in offering prayers and received Sri Mudi Gandha Prasada, seeking the divine grace of Sri Devi.
“Faith, family, and service to our deity remain at the heart of our lives,” said Dharmapala Devadiga, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming participation of devotees. “It was a moment of spiritual fulfilment for our entire family,” he added.