Daijiworld Media Network – Hebri
Hebri, Mar 9: A fully equipped burial ground and crematorium was opened at 38th Kalluru Santhekatte, a rural village near Hebri, with the support of local donors. The project, costing around Rs 30 lac, was inaugurated on Sunday, March 8.
Until now, Kasturu Santhekatte had no proper facilities for burials or cremations, forcing residents to travel to distant locations such as Kokkarna or Hebri. The new facility fulfils a long-standing community aspiration to provide a dignified, modern site locally.
“Even today, many villagers feel apprehensive about burial grounds and crematoriums. To dispel this fear and show that this is a respected and sacred space, we have constructed the facility with full infrastructure, in consultation with the community and donors,” said B Chandrashekar Shetty, president of the 38th Kalluru Santhekatte Burial Ground Development Committee.
The burial ground and crematorium has been constructed on a 78-cent plot exclusively reserved for public use. Chandrashekar Shetty, who served as a village panchayat member between 2005 and 2010, had long envisioned this project. In 2021, he finalised a detailed plan and mobilised donor support, bringing the vision to fruition.
The key donors, E Prashanth Kamath and Madhav Kamath, contributed in memory of their father Arbettu Venkatesh Kamath, while the village panchayat provided land levelling and water infrastructure. Additionally, MLC Manjunath Bhandary contributed Rs 2 lac towards the project.
The facility already has one silicon chamber shed completed, with a second set to be constructed under the Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala development project. Hebri Taluk officials visited the site to inspect progress and ensure rapid completion. The crematorium and burial ground feature boundary walls and landscaped surroundings, a water supply system, a rest room and toilets, a statue of a security guard at the entrance, and a Shiva idol installed on the left side of the main entrance. The design blends modern functionality with dignity, providing a community-oriented environment for burials and cremations.
The Burial Ground and Crematorium Development Committee, duly registered, will manage the site in collaboration with the 38th Kalluru gram panchayat.
The inauguration ceremony was held on Sunday, March 8 at 4 pm at Kasturu Santhekatte on Kombe Road. The event was attended by donors, district officials, dignitaries, representatives of local organisations, villagers, and senior members of the Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Village Development Project.
The opening of this landmark facility now provides residents with a dignified, fully equipped burial ground and crematorium, combining modern infrastructure with community participation and respect for local traditions.