Fisherfolk offer 'Samudra Pooja' to appease 'Sea God'

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

August 13, 2011

Mangalore, August 13: 'Samudra Pooja' the annual ritual to gratify the god of the sea, was offered at Tannirbavi beach here on Saturday by a large numbers of people belonging to fishing community.

The programme was organised by Mangalooru Yelupatna Mogaveera Samyuktha Sabha (MYMSS) comprising Boloor, Bokkapatna, Kudroli, Hoige Bazaar, Bolar, Jeppu, Neereshwalya and Padu Hoige Mogaveera grama sabhas.

The rituals were performed under the guidance of Kadri Shri Suvarna Kadali Matt Pontiff Sri Raja Sandhyanathji.

In his address, Sri Raja Sandhyanathji said that people will be blessed if mass prayer was offered to the 'Sea God'. “It is a tradition that Samudra Pooja is being organised every year to please the sea. The sea will bless and protect fishermen and also maintain peace in society,” he added.

Devotees in large number offered milk, coconuts and flowers to the sea as part of rituals. They prayed the Samudra Raja to safeguard the fishermen from risks, to produce fish aplenty and avoid natural calamities.

The rituals began after a procession, which started from from Kudroli Srirama Bhajana Mandir at 9 am.

N Yogish Bhat, Mangalore South MLA said that the much awaited rope-way project would be completed within three years.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest, B Janardana Poojary, former Union President, emphasised the significance of religious rituals in the life. He also insisted that government should construct over bridge between Boloor and Thannirbavi.

R P Boloor, President of four villages, said that the sea is not only a treasure of fish but also of diamonds, gems and other precious things. “But we only pray for fish, our source of bread earning”, he said.

It is believed that 'Samudra pooja', held on the shore early in the morning, will appease the god of the sea and bestow prosperity on the fisherfolk. Fishermen start fishing in traditional boats only after offering Samudra Pooja every year.

R P Boloor and Yashawanth B compered the programme.

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Puttur's Healthcare Dream Cleared: State Finance Gives Nod for 300-Bed Hospital

News Network

December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

• The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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