Bhatkal: A comprehensive development plan is being prepared for Murdeshwar with a focus on improving infrastructure and visitor amenities, Karnataka Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport Minister and Uttara Kannada District In-charge Minister Mankal S. Vaidya said on Sunday.
Speaking after inaugurating the Maha Shivaratri Jagarane Utsav organised at Murdeshwar by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Kannada and Culture, and the Tourism Department, the Minister said systematic parking and drainage facilities would be developed to ensure better convenience for tourists and devotees.
He noted that this year’s Shivaratri celebrations in Murdeshwar featured a series of religious programmes including Bhasmarchane, Gomata Puja, Samudra Aarti, Laksha Bilvarchane and the all-night Shivaratri Jagarane, drawing a large number of devotees. Emphasising the district’s overall progress, he added that priority was also being given to the development of education in Uttara Kannada.
The Minister said steps were being taken to develop prominent Shiva temples in the district, including those at Murdeshwar, Gokarna, Gunavanteshwar, Dhareshwar and Shejeshwar.
Describing Murdeshwar as both his birthplace and karmabhoomi, Vaidya said he had grown with the blessings of Lord Murdeshwar and the support of the local people. He assured that Shivaratri celebrations would be organised in a continuous and systematic manner every year.
Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya said Shivaratri is being celebrated annually at five locations across the district. She stated that adequate arrangements had been made at all venues, including crowd management, parking facilities and other basic amenities for devotees. Security arrangements were also in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the programmes.
On the occasion, the Minister was felicitated for upgrading Mavalli-1 and Mavalli-2 gram panchayats into the Murdeshwar Town Panchayat.
Among those present were District Guarantee Schemes Authority President Satish Naik, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dileesh Shashi, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N., Deputy Conservator of Forests Yogesh, Sub-Divisional Officer Praveen Karande, Tahsildar Nagendra Kolashetti, DYSP Girish, Taluk Guarantee Committee President Raju Naik, Murdeshwar Temple Chief Priest Jayaram Adiga, Temple Manager Manjunath Shetty, Murdeshwar Grameena Pratishtana President S.S. Kamat, Dr. Pushpalatha Vaidya, former Mavalli-1 Gram Panchayat President Nayana Naik, former Mavalli-2 Gram Panchayat President Nagaratna Padiyar, local leader R.V. Kamat and others.
The event featured a range of cultural programmes, including bhajan performances, Harikatha, and music concerts by noted artistes. Performances were presented by singer Hemant and his troupe, actor Rakshita Shetty, actress Ragini Dwivedi, folk artiste Jogi Sunitha, and singer Manasa Holla. The programme also included Shivadhyana sessions, Bharatanatyam by Dhanalakshmi Moger, bhajana kunita by teams from Manki and Alvekodi, a singing performance by Ganesh Acharya, and prize distribution to winners of various sports competitions and participants in the Ideal Couple event.