Hassan: Even as Hassan district administration has questioned the plans to spend lakhs for the Hasanamba Jatra Mahotsava, the district administration has approved 48 works costing Rs 13.5 crore for the festival scheduled from Oct 29 to Nov 11.
During a review meeting on Friday, Shivalingegowda questioned the proposed Rs 50 lakh tender for a single control room and the Rs 65 lakh earmarked for cultural programmes at four locations. The Hasanamba Temple administration had asked the district administration seeking its nod to take up 48 works estimated to cost ₹13.54 crore, which has been in-principle approved.
He said he was not opposed to the programmes, but wanted officials to reduce costs. But a final decision will be taken shortly, sources in the Hasanamba Temple administration told STOI. The priest said devotees believe darshan of the deity in these forms grants liberation from the cycle of rebirth. The former PM said he regularly recites the Vishnu Sahasranama and hymns dedicated to Lord Ranganatha. He said: “It was with the blessings of Lord Ranganatha that I entered politics and got an opportunity to lead the country.”
The expenditure comes amid objections from district in-charge minister KM Shivalingegowda, who has questioned the proposed spending in view of the ongoing drought in large swathes of the state. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda offered special prayers at Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple atop Mavinkere Hill in Holenarsipur taluk on Saturday, marking Mahalaya Amavasya.