Kollur; Feb 26: Addressing the media personnel in the ‘Save Sowparnika’ fight programme after viewing the river in advance organized by Kodachadri environment protection trust in Kollur on Feb 26, Wednesday, Kemar Peethadhipati Esha Vittala Swamiji said in his address that in Hindu religion, first priority, importance is given to religious place and since devotees are coming in large numbers with good impression, feelings, faiths to holy places, in view of protecting sanctity of the holy place, appropriate action has to be taken.
Under the circumstance, historically famous Shree Mookambika’s dwelling holy land Kollur place, the Sowparnika River, which is start flowing from Kodachadri, has become polluted. He expressed his resentment for not taking any step to protect the sanctity of the place either by government, local administration or by concerned people, he said.
Lakhs of devotees from various parts of the country are visiting temple every year to have the glimpse (Darshan) of the Goddess and from this, government is earning crores of rupees income. But heredity is clearly visible that there is scarcity of basic infrastructure, Swamiji alleged.
Twisting temple’s traditions, rituals for some convenience is unpardonable crime, he said. The ministers, who are ruling us are coming here and have the Dharshan of Devi and then they go and it is a matter of concern that no minister has bothered to turn their attention in these matters.
In this regard, if district administration, local administration and concerned people do not actively involved, district’s various organizations, environmentalists and Kerala, Tamil Nadu’s innumerable number of devotees and likeminded people will organize a fierce fight, struggle he warned
In the wake of Sowparnika River’s pollution, last year, location for water sports (Jalakreede) of Devi Utsav idol had to be shifted to some other place, resulting considerable problems in the celebration. In this regard,in the coming days, like in Pampa river model in Shabari Male,Kindi dam to be built for Devi’s smooth Jalakreede. At the same time, appreciating the media friends for their co-operation, swamiji said that Medias should become nature and poor’s voice, he said.
K.K.Sabu, president of Kodachadri environment protection trust, Naveenchandra Uppunda, taluk panchayat member Gowri Devadiga, Vigneshwara Shastri, Dharmapeetha teacher Samudhwadananda swamiji Suvarna Kumar Mudoor, Harish Tolar were present in the press meet.
Submission of request:
Allow household waste water into the river after purifying. Arrangement for the underground drainage system to be made in the place. Provide basic infrastructure facilities for the pilgrims coming from different parts of the country. All Tirthas should be cleansed and make sacred. Money collected from the devotees, should be utilized for the development of the place and other demands. The memorandum containing all the above demands was submitted to L.S.Maruti,CEO of the temple by Swamiji.Krishnamurthy,assistant executive, Ramakrishna Adiga,superitendent were present on the occasion.
People’s wrath:
Due to the efforts of Nada I.T.I college students, Sowparnika River was cleaned six years ago and which was appreciated by the people, memories of that works, still remained fresh in their minds. But now people expressed their anger because private lodging and hostel owners polluted Sowparnika river once again by throwing garbages,waste,rubbish into the river within one year of cleansing and brought the scene of the river back to filthy condition.
