Belthangady: The 51st anniversary of Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade’s coronation as Dharmadhikari held at Dharmasthala on October 24, Wednesday.

To mark the occasion the newly built Manjusha Museum and Rs 23.5 cores estimated road development works launched by State PWD minister H D Revanna.

The musuem was inaugurated by Dr Heggade and his wife Hemavathi Heggade in presence of PWD minister H D Revanna and other dignitaries.

Speaking after launching road development works, Revanna informed that the centre has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for for the development of BC Road-Dharmasthala stretch and that the works will begin soon.

Dakshina Kannada District in-charge Minister UT Khader released a CD ’Chinnada Hejje’ while MP Nalin Kumar Kateel released Swami Darshana, a coffee table book, Special edition of Niranthara was released by local MLA Harish Poonja. Several dignitaries including Rajya Sabha Member Oscar Fernandes, MLC Harish Kumar, Belthangady TP Chief Divyajyothi, SP Dr Ravikanthe Gowda. Sridhama Manila Swamiji Sri Mohandas Paramahamsa and family members of Dr Heggade were present.

Dr Heggade was earlier brought to the function venue in a procession.

Speaking at the function Dr Heggade said a new high school would be started in Mangaluru, and a Naturopathy College in Nelamangala. The Ayurveda Hospitals at Hassan and Udupi will be developed, he informed.

D Harshendra Kumar welcomed the gathering. In his welcome address, Harshendra said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had called Dr Heggade on Wednesday to greet him on the occasion. Dr L H Manjunath proposed vote of thanks. N R Damodara Sharma presented the programme.

Hemavathi V Heggade, who released the book series titled ‘Suvarna Sanchaya’ gratefully recollected the time she spent in the company of her husband, who is creative and contemplative.

On this occasion, writers of the series, Dr Chinnappa Gowda, Mallikarjun Hosapalya, Prof M A Hegde, Laxmi Machchina, Dr Padekallu Vishnu Bhat and Dr Choodamani Nandagopal were honoured.