Kundapur’Oct 16: Though there are many tourist places which are existing in Udupi district’s Kundapur taluk, many are not known to the foreign visitors may be due to sheer negligence of Tourism department.
With a motive to expose the foreigners to the Rural living, Tourist spots and religious Holy places, B.G.Mohandas, founder of Gulfkannadiga.com and former president of Karnataka Sangha, Dubai took the initiative by organizing a mini-sojourn comprising of 18 foreign students, who came on study tour to Manipal.
Under the leadership of Ms Katee Jo Walter, Chief of Manipal programme of “The Alliance for global education”18 foreigners mainly American actively participated in this day long tour.
Visit to Shree Kollur Mookambika Temple: First, the team visited the Kundapur’s famous holy place Shree Mookambika temple. Where they offered poojas with great devotion. Then they were briefed about the history & significance of the temple under the guidance of Priest Suresh Bhat.
They were thrilled after knowing the history of Shankaracharya’s peeta, Yaga Mantap, Vidhyarambha, Tulabhara and about how Goddes Devi has settled down in Kollur. Thereafter after accepting Mahaprasada (food served in the temple), they expressed their jubilation.
Visit to Kalod village:-From Kollur, team under the coachmanship of B.G.Mohandas, left to Byndoor’jurisdiction’s God-forsaken village Kathod via Halkal Kambadakone (Byndoor). The group visited the Government Higher primary school, and were warmly welcomed by Villagers, Village Panchayat members and School children. Through an informal discussion with the locals and gathered guests, the visiting Foreign students gathered knowledge about Panchayat Raj, Health & Welfare and Education related issues.
Government Ayurvedic doctor Dr.Veena Kamat and B.G.Mohandas assisted the foreign students in gathering information.
Vijaya Kumar Shetty, taluk panchayat member, Village panchayat member Chandu Kulalthi,former president Annappa Shetty,Kalthodu government higher primary school head-master Narayana,village panchayat member Suresh Poojary,Ganesh Shetty,President of old students Sangha,businessman Kamlesh Bijoor,Byndoor revenue department’s retired supervisor B.Manjunatha Bijoor (M.D.Bijoor) were present on the occasion.
Visit to Breathtaking Otthinene tourist spot: The team, which arrived in the evening to Otthinene sea beach. They thoroughly enjoyed by playing in the sea water, by rolling on the sand, by giving camera pose and by enjoying nature’s beauty until it became dark. Then they preceded their journey towards Manipal.
Businessman Kamlesh Bijoor and revenue department’s retired Revenue Officer B.Manjunatha Bijoor (M.D.Manjunatha Bijoor) have extended their overall co-operation along with their guidance to the 18 member foreign student’s team, who came on study tour under the leadership of B.G.Mohandas.
