Madikeri: Temples and religious centres had a major role to play in creating awareness and social commitment among citizens, said state assembly speaker K G Bopaiah here on Wednesday.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the new ‘Omkara Sadan’ built on behalf of the department of religious endowments and the temple management committee, in the precincts of the historic Shri Omkareshwara temple here.

“Our country comprises a variety of faiths, castes and sects and in this backdrop, the religious centres are functioning to create unity and a firm civil society. Hence the government has been giving generous grants to these centres. Therefore the benefits should be available to people of all faiths and communities,” he stressed.

He pointed out that in the modern set-up, the middle-class and low-income groups were being forced to spend heavily at the time of their children’s marriage. Hence he urged that ‘Omkara Sadan’ be made available to the poorer classes at very reachable rates, without allowing any commercialism to creep in.

He added that religious centres and temples had their own unique place in the society and they should be carefully conserved. They should remain hallowed places of worship and should not merely function as tourist spots.

Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan inaugurated the dining hall. MLC T John said that the Omkareshwara temple had a deep historical significance and expressed happiness over the improvements in facilities. While saying that the facilities should be available to the general public, he assured of a grant of Rs 2 lakh from his legislator’s fund.

Temple management committee president K S Ramesh Holla presided over the function. Former president K S Devaiah and contractor Ravindra Rai were honoured on the occasion.

Zilla panchayat president Shanteyanda Ravi Kushalappa, TP president Hosamane Kavita Prabhakar, former MLC S B Medappa, ZP members S N Raja Rao, Ballaranda Mani Uttappa and Beena Bollamma, APMC president Bellu Somaiah, M P Sunil Subramani, renovation committee member G Rajendra and other committee members were present on the occasion.

C N Somesh compered the programme. Arun Kumar welcomed the gathering. Shraddha and archak Subrahmanya Holla made an invocation. Sharada Mandappa thanked everyone.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Team Mangalorean- Madikeri / by Ashwini Appaiah with Vartha Pics / April 12th, 2012