Padubidri: Dr. M. N. Rajendra Kumar, recipient of the Sahakara Ratna award, stated that the grand "Horekanike" (offering of items) for the Brahmakalashotsava of the Padubidri Mahalingeshwara Mahaganapathi Temple is a testament to the immense generosity of the devotees.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Horekanike procession dedicated to the Padubidri shrine on April 26. Dr. K. Prakash Shetty, President of the Renovation Committee, presided over the event.

Dr. Deviprasad Shetty Belapu, Convener of the Horekanike Committee, noted that the collection drive was successful due to the cooperation of devotees from the twin districts (Udupi and Dakshina Kannada), Chikmagalur, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and other places.

Notable attendees included Dayananda Hejmadi, Prakash Shetty Paduhitlu, Y.N. Ramachandra Rao, Umesh Poojary, Naveen N. Shetty, Premnath Shetty, Madhava Shetty, Kolake Irvathuru Bhaskar Kotian, Udaya Kotian, Prashanth Shenoy, Mithun Hegde, Vishwas Amin, and others.

In the storehouse constructed near the temple, Hariyappa Kotian from Malpe and a team of volunteers neatly organized the offerings. Significant contributions were received, including rice worth approximately ₹22 lakh donated by the Billava community, along with large quantities of jaggery, sugar, and vegetables.

Invitation to Brahmakalashotsava

Dr. K. Prakash Shetty, entrepreneur and President of the Renovation and Brahmakalashotsava Committee, described the reconstruction of the Padubidri Mahalingeshwara Mahaganapathi Temple as a "Yajna of devotion." He stated that completing this massive task in just ten months—after systematically clearing the old structure in the first two months—was possible only through divine grace and collective unity.

The Brahmakalashotsava will be held until May 4 under the leadership of Vedamurti Raghavendra Upadhyaya of Kambalakatta. Dr. Shetty has requested devotees from both districts to participate in the festivities.