MANGALORE: Countdown has begun for Mangalore Dasara. Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple is abuzz with preparations for the Dasara rituals.Meanwhile, former Union minister and temple’s managing trustee B Janardhana Poojary has announced to present widows, who do not get due respect these days, with sarees, kumkum, bangles and flowers. “It is a matter of respect for the widows and a message to all the religious heads and other dignitaries like teachers, politicians, mediapersons to follow the same,” said Poojary.At a press conference here on Tuesday, he said that over 1,500 widows would be honoured on the same day. As the temple will perform ‘Chandikayaga’ on the occasion of Dasara, the widows will be allowed to participate in the rituals. Later, they will also be encouraged to pull the chariot. Through this new practice, the ill-treatment of widows might be overcome, he added.Poojary quoted a letter, in which a widow appreciated him on the statement he had given recently, that the widows should be respected and not be ill-treated. “Though I had planned to assist the widows earlier, the letter made me firm on my decision. A country, which does not respect the widows and the women, such a country will not attain progress,” he stressed.Responding to a query whether the widows will be set aside after this honour programme, he said: “We have plans to help them throughout their life. But, we will not disclose our plans.” “We support widow re-marriage too. Those who are poor and not able to afford the cost of the marriage, they will be provided with ‘Karimani’ and the cost of the marriage also,” he added.Poojary welcomed the suggestion of the mediapersons to get the Dasara Festival inaugurated in the hands of a widow and promised that the suggestion will be materialised some day.Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple management committee president HS Sairam, vice-president Raghavendra Kuloor, treasurer Padmaraj and Harikrishna Bantwal were present at the press meet.
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