Mahatma Gandhi is worshipped as a deity at this Karnataka temple; here's why

Mangaluru: At a temple in Mangaluru's Kankanady, Mahatma Gandhi is not remembered only as India's freedom movement leader. For nearly 80 years, devotees have been offering prayers to a statue of him as part of a daily tradition.

The Mahatma is worshipped at the Shree Brahma Baidarkala Garadi Kshetra, where prayers are held every day at his shrine. The tradition began in 1948, shortly after India's Independence.

“Mahatma Gandhiji is being worshipped here at the Shri Brahma Baidarkala Kshetra Garadi since 1948 along with Shri Narayana Guru. He is worshipped every day,” said Harish, a priest at the temple.

The temple itself is traditionally associated with Koti and Chennayya, the twin cultural heroes of Tulu Nadu.

How Gandhi's statue came to the temple

On December 15, 1948, a clay statue of Mahatma Gandhi was installed on the temple premises by his staunch supporters. The statue was then consecrated, beginning a practice that has continued for decades.

Unlike a memorial that is visited occasionally, the Gandhi shrine forms part of the temple's daily worship. Special puja is also conducted every year on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti.

The original clay statue remained at the temple for decades before being replaced in 2011 with a statue made of white marble.

With PTI inputs