At the beginning, members of our Samaja were living in Tumakuru and Tiptur districts in places such as Seebi, Kibbanhally, Devanuru, Kollur, LakkenahalliMadaknalli, Harnalli, Gubbi, Bettadahalli, Honaganahalli, etc.,by working as farmlaborers, coolie, estatework etc., When a severe drought occurred in those places, some of them sold out their farm lands and spread away to Bangalore, Hindupurin Andhra Pradesh and Malenadu,in search of livelihood and a few of them settled in Shivamogga district. Those who came to Shivamogga, took houses for rent on Big Brahmins Street here and worked as coolies forlivelihood.
The desire to join together at a place and construct the temple at the earmarked place sprouted and grew in the mind of our people. Immediately, all the community people assembled at a place under the chairmanship of M. Muniyappa, who was a leading person among Shetties and quite an improvised Contractor. Then, the opinion of everyone was same. All the participants vociferously said in one voice that they are prepared to cooperate for the construction of the temple. At that moment, our Shetty chieftain sent a word for the priest of our community Sri Pujari Rangappa to come. During those days, he was going to Kalash, Kallattagiri, Tarikere and all other places for Puja. Therefore, there was no doubt that he was the most appropriate person and discussed with him about the proposal to construct a temple and said: “We have decided to construct a temple and you will be the priest in that temple.” All those present in that huge assemblage unitedly agreed to it in a single voice and Rangappa too agreed.
View MoreOne day, priest Rangappa met the President and Shetty Yajaman Muniyappa and discussed with them the manner in which the routine Pujas and rituals were taking place in the temple; he also suggested that if an annual carnival is put into practice, the Samaj will progress at a higher altitude. Kam. Muniyappa then replied to priest Rangappa that the matter will be discussed at a meeting and based on what transpires in the meeting, a decision would be taken. Priest Rangappa went back.
Within two-three days of that, Kam. Muniyappa called for a meeting of the prominent persons of the Samaj and said at the meet: “Consecration of the Goddess has been ceremoniously completed. All the people of the Samaj are leading a calm life. No one is facing any kind of problem. Now, as suggested by priest Rangappa, our Samaj will prosper better if we can organize a carnival (Jatra) every year.” Everyone unitedly accepted the suggestion.
View MoreAs decided above, a meeting was organized to discuss about conducting the Jatra, under the chairmanship of Kam. Muniyappa. A lengthy discussion was held on the subject and finally, at one stage, it was decided to identify ten learned persons from the Samaj and another ten strong boys; take them to Kallattagiri in Kallattipura, offer Puja to Ganga in strict adherence to Shastras and schedule the Jatra on the full moon day, just before the Monsoon. It was also decided to consult an astrologer and to conduct the Jatra after getting an auspicious time fixed for the Jatra it from an astrologer. Accordingly, it was decided at the meeting that only twenty people would go to Kallattagiri on bullock carts, offer worship to Ganga and bring Ganga here
View MoreHere, in Shivamogga, the community people were offering worship and prayers to Devi, every day, seeking that those who had gone to the hillock were not troubled in any way. The Shetty Heads jointly took the Ganga, chose a new couple, who were designated to carry the Ganga from Thunga River in their palms and they should come to the Temple. Starting from that time, till the completion of worship of the burning charcoal, they had to observe fast. The couple was told by the priest that they should consume only milk and fruits and sleep in the temple. They said that they would strictly abide by the words of elderly.
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