GRAND GANESHA FINALE AT VIRAJPET;

Madikeri September 7, 2006

In a dusk to dawn grand finale, sixteen colorfully decorated Mantapams of Lord Ganesha was taken out in a procession in the main streets of Virajpet before immersion.

The week long celebration of the festival ended this morning with the immersion of idols at Gowrikere. Thousands of people witnessed the procession of the brightly lit Mantaps sailing majestically through the town.

Procession included traditional band of Kodagu, Pokod band from Kerala, Mysore palace band, and other troops performing attractive dances. Orchestra and other entertainment programmes kept the audience tapping their foot till morning.

Heavy police bandobasth was organized to maintain law and order. No untoward incidents were reported.

OFFICIALS TO BE SUSPENDED;

The district in charge minister Ramachandra Gowda has written a letter urging forest minister to suspend officials defying his instructions.

Gowda has mentioned that a decision was taken in the Zilla Panchayath meeting held on July 30 at Madikeri under his chairmanship not to plant Acacia trees. But the officials, ignoring his order have planted the trees, he alleged.

The decision not to plant any more trees in the presence of officials was taken as Acacia trees are in no way useful to environment and wild life. The meeting felt that Acacia would not allow even grass to grow in its surrounding. Since forest department has been planting only Acacia in the forest areas since years, wild life is entering villages and towns, the meeting observed. Hence the officials were instructed not to encourage any more planting of Acacia.

Defying the meetings decision, forest department in the district has allegedly planted more than three lakh Acacia tree after July. Responding to the complaints received, the district in charge minister has written to state forest minister to suspend the concerned forest officials. He has also insisted on the necessity to permanently ban the plantation of the said tree.

COMMITTEES FORMED FOR TALACAUVERY TEERTODBHAV;

A high level meeting was held here yesterday and committees were formed to hold Teertodbhava ceremony of Cauvery in a successful manner.

The meeting held with Deputy Commissioner Subodh yadav in chair decided to provide better facilities to the devotees who hail from different states to take a holy dip on October 17th.

Month long Jatra would be held starting from October 16th.

Committees were formed to provide better lighting, transport, food and other facilities including health care.

The meeting decided to organize more visual screens to view the Teertodbhava for the benefit of devotees. Talacauvery rejuvenation committee president matanda Monnappa, Bhagamandala Gram panchayath president Meenakshi and others were present in the meeting.