The "Dharmadhikari" of Dharmasthala Manjunatha temple administration D Veerendra Heggade has announced a slew of social welfare schemes in connection with the 47th anniversary of his ascension to the supreme post.
At a function held at Dharmasthala yesterday, Heggade, the 21st person in succession to the Dharmadhikaari Peetha, said agricultural implements would be provided to farmers at 161 centres at a minimum price as part of the Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, to be implemented with the assistance of the state government .
The Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha administration would contribute Rs 20 crore for the project while the state government would put in Rs 60 crore, he said.
A total of 365 water supply units would be installed at different places identified in the state for supply of fluoride-free water. The administration would also take up de-addiction programmes, women's empowerment camps and cleanliness drive, Heggade said.
He said a 350-bed Ayurveda hospital had already been opened at Bangalore and a full-fledged Ayurveda hospital and college would come up next year. The construction of a lodge having 520 rooms for the benefit of pilgrims at Dharmasthala would begin soon.
Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Swamiji of Kanakagiri Kshetra presided over the function.
