Bapuji Mahatma Gandhi’s Connection with Two Kudla Religious Institutions
Mangaluru: Even though many educational and religious Institutions, Government and Administrative Offices and others celebrated Gandhi Jayanthi in fervour on 2 October, but among them two religious Institutions namely Sri Brahma Baidarkal Garodi Temple on Mangaluru-Bengaluru NH 75 and Sri Krishna Mandir, located behind Canara Lower Primary Kannada Medium School, Dongarikere, Mangaluru had special celebrations and pujas, in memory of the father of the Nation.
Gandhiji seen with Karnad Sadhashiv Rao, Attavar Yellapa, and Rama Rao, all Congress freedom fighters
The Foundation stone for the Sri Krishna Mandir attached to the above school was laid by Mahatma Gandhi on 2 February 1934, during his second visit to Mangaluru. The plaque unveiled by Gandhi is still seen on the walls of the Century-old school hall, which is part of the Canara Griup of Institutions founded by Late Ammembai Subba Rao Pai. A statue of Sri Krishna and other figures created out of one single black stone by Renjal Gopal Shenoy from Karkala is a masterpiece to be seen inside the Mandir.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Mohini, who have been the Headmistress for over 25 years after the school started in 1947 said, “On 2 October we had great celebrations here at the Mandir, where the children sang patriotic songs and the favourite bhajan of Mahatma Gandhi “Raghupathi Ragava Raja Ram”. We celebrate Gandhi Jayanthi every year with great reverence. Our teachers and children keep the Mandir clean involving them in Swachh Abhiyan campaign. The Children also pray regularly in the Mandir to commemorate Gandhi’s visit to this place three times when he had come down to Mangaluru-he never visited any other institutions other than Sri Krishna Mandir”.
“The black and white photo taken during the foundation stone laying ceremony is still in good condition, and we have preserved it very carefully, wherein the picture you can see Karnad Sadashiv Rao, Attavar Yellapa, and Rama Rao, all Congress freedom fighters. And yesterday during Gandhi Jayanthi celebration a student of the First batch of this school, Muktha Rao donated Rs one lakh for the development of the school, which was indeed a kind gesture from his side to his Alma mater. At present we have 118 students in 1-5 standard class, and 37 in lower KG class, and we have six teachers to teach them. We feel proud of the association that Mahatma Gandhi had with our institution and Mandir” added Mohini
Mahatma Gandhiji’s Statue installed inside Brahma Baidarkala Garodi
A statue of Gandhiji was installed on the premises of the shrine on December 15, 1948. Since then, puja is offered thrice every day. But on 2 October there is a special puja. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, J. Kishore Kumar, manager of the Brahma Baidarkala Garodi Kshetra said, “It was the fascination for Gandhian principles that inspired the then members (one of them being the President) of the managing committee of the Garodi, Narasappa Salian and Soma Pandit, to install a clay statue of Gandhi. Beside the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, they also installed a clay statue of Sree Narayana Guru to show the mutual admiration the two had for each other”
Speaking of Sree Narayana Guru’s and Gandhiji’s zeal for social reform, Kishore Kumar further said, “We cherish the bonding the two great men had. The initial clay statue was replaced with a granite one, five years ago, and was installed in a separate shrine. Puja is offered at 6 a.m.,11.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. every day. But Special puja is offered on October 2 every year. And we get a huge crowd on 2 October, especially children who come with flowers and garlands to adore the Father of the Nation”.