Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple at Dharmasthala during his one-day visit to the State. He is the first Prime Minister-in office to visit the temple.
Arriving at Dharmasthala at 11 a.m., he drove straight to the temple entrance where Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade received the Prime Minister. Before visiting the temple, Mr. Modi also visited the Beedu, the official residence of the Dharmadhikari and spent some time with Mr. Heggade and members of his family.
Inside the temple, Mr. Modi had the Rudrarchana performed to Lord Manjunatheshwara and sat in Dhyaana for a while. He also had the darshan of Annappa, Ganapathi and Parvathi inside the temple complex.
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Union Ministers D.V. Sadananda Gowda and H.N. Ananth Kumar, State BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa and others accompanied Mr. Modi.
After the darshan, Mr. Modi proceeded to Ujire, about 9 km from Dharmasthala, to attend the public programme organised by Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP). Beginning his address, Mr. Modi said that last week he had been to Kedarnathji, established by Adi Sankaracharya for national integrity, and now he is fortunate to be at the abode of Manjunatheshwara in South on Sunday.
Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai was conspicuous by his absence even as Belthangady MLA K. Vasantha Bangera from the Congress was seated on the dais along with other dignitaries. Mr. Rai’s name was in the list of dignitaries to be present on the dais.
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