Puttur, 16 September 2026: As many as 148 religious sites located on government land in the Puttur Assembly constituency have been transferred in the names of the respective deities, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said. Rai made the statement while speaking at the 69th Public Sri Maha Ganeshotsava organised at Kille Maidan in Puttur.
According to the MLA, the sites include temples, daivasthanas, Naganakattes and bhajana mandirs located on government land. He said a decision concerning such religious properties across Karnataka is also expected to come up at the State Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru.
Rai said the process of transferring the 148 religious sites in the Puttur constituency had been taken up during his tenure as MLA. He claimed that no such effort had been made in the constituency for nearly 15 years before this initiative.
MLA also said that ₹32.50 crore has been released during his three years in office for the development of Hindu religious institutions, including temples, bhajana mandirs and Naganakattes.
He further highlighted the development of Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple in Puttur, stating that ₹10 crore has been allocated for its development. Recent plans for the temple include a commercial complex and several infrastructure upgrades, including improved facilities for devotees.
Focus on temple land
Rai also spoke about land associated with Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple. He said around 18 acres had already been brought into the temple's name, while another five to six acres were pending. He said efforts would be made to secure the remaining land and make it available to the temple when required.
MLA said Puttur should also be developed as a destination for pilgrims travelling to major religious centres such as Kukke Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala. Greater development of Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, he said, could help attract more visitors to Puttur.
Education and values
Speaking about the younger generation, Rai stressed the importance of education alongside knowledge of religious traditions and values. He said young people should understand their traditions and respect their parents, emphasising that parental blessings and family values remain important in life.
Rai also said religious devotion should not be measured only through monetary contributions, and that helping others and fulfilling one's responsibilities are also important aspects of a meaningful life. 69th Kille Maidan Maha Ganeshotsava was attended by members of the festival committee and devotees. Organisers also announced a Bal Ganapati Homa at 4.45 a.m. on September 19 and invited the public to participate.
Keywords: Puttur, Ashok Kumar Rai, religious sites, government land, temples, Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur Suddi, Puttur News Today, Citizen News Puttur
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