Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Oct 21: Koteshwar Kodi chariot festival will be celebrated on November 19, full moon day here. “As the government has not imposed any restrictions, the festival will be held like all the other traditional and religious festivals. Covid protocol will be compulsorily observed during the celebrations,” said Koteshwar Kotilingeshwara temple tantri Vedamurthi Prasanna Kumar Aithal. He was speaking in the preparatory meeting for the historic chariot festival of the temple in Udupi.
Managing committee president M Prabhakar Shetty who presided over the meeting gave details of the festival and the expenditure and requested everybody to cooperate.
Police department’s law and order division ASI Sudhaker said that CC cameras will be installed in narrow curves and the path of the chariot. “A temporary police outpost will be opened in the festival area for security,” he said.
Traffic department ASI Chandrashekar said that parking facilities will be provided in four different directions of Koteshwar market and action will be taken against those who drive their vehicles in the festival premises.
Koteshwar primary health centre medical officer Dr Poornima said that precautions relating to Coronavirus will be compulsory. “Health activists will be present for chlorination, ambulance facilities and health at places where people gather.”
Gopadi Mescom section officer Sunil said that the electric cables that are hanging will be tightened. “Temporary electric connections will be provided to shop keepers if requested. All the powermen and staff will be cooperating for the success of the festival,” he said.
Koteshwar gram panchayat development officer Tejappa Kulal said that no circular is received from the government about the festival. “Therefore, it is decided to conduct the festival with all the customs and traditions. Suitable spots will be identified for shopkeepers and conditional permission will be granted to them to dispose of trash. Dust will be made to settle by spraying chlorine and water in important places,” he said.
Beejadi gram panchayat president Sumati Nagaraj, temple renovation committee president Koni Krishnadeva Karanth, managing committee former president Markodu Gopalakrishna Shetty, leader Hirianna Malyadi Shivarama Shetty, entrepreneur Dinesh Kamath, B M Idinabba Gururaj Rao, committee members Manjunath Acharya, Bharathi, Sharada, staff Anuradha, Venkatesh Shet, manager Srikanth Upadhyaya, representatives of local groups and associations were present.
Temple executive officer Ganesh Gowda welcomed. Committee member Suresh Sherigar gave an introduction. K G Vaidya compered the programme. Committee member Chandrika rendered a vote of thanks.