53rd anniversary of Dr Heggade’s coronation celebrated at Dharmasthala

Team Udayavani, Oct 24, 2020, 7:05 PM IST

Belthangady: Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala’s ‘Dharmadhikari’ Dr Virendra Heggade’s 53rd coronation anniversary was celebrated on October 24.

Many dignitaries were at attendance at the event to congratulate Dr Heggade who was brought to the event with musical accompaniments.

All programs were conducted with adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

Mohandas Paramhansa Swamiji of Manila Sridhama; KK Chinnappa Gowda, Retired Chancellor of Karnataka Janapada University; Hemavathi V Heggade, D Harshendra Kumar, Surendra Kumar, Supriya Harshendra Kumar, Sonia Verma and others were present at the ceremony.

Born on November 25, 1948, the eldest son of Ratnavarma Heggade and Ratnamma, Veerendra Kumar became the twenty-first “Dharmadhikari” of Dharmasthala at the age of twenty.

Dr Virendra Heggade celebrated 50 years in the position on October 24, 2017, and till October 24, 2018, there were celebrations of the ‘Golden Jubilee’ with a variety of programs. Many original works and a special congratulatory book ‘Dharmayana’ was published.

Since he took over as the Dharmadhikari, tremendous works were conducted by and on behalf of the Kshetra, including establishing the Bhagwan Bahubali statue in 1982 and performing the Mahamastakabhisheka and the Mahanadavali, Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, communal marriage ceremonies, educational institutions at many parts of the State, marriage halls, self-employment training centres and so on.

Governments and many other mathas have also started implementing the model projects begun by Dr Heggade.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his message and wishes for Dr Heggade by stating that he (Dr Heggade) is a living embodiment of sacrificial and penitent life wholly dedicated for the betterment of society.