Mangalore : Former Union Minister Janaradhan Poojary said that a total of 5,000 widows will perform pooja to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu this Deepavali at Sri Gokarnatheshwara Temple, Kudroli on October 23.

Speaking at the press meet held at temple on October 18, Saturday he said that temple priestess Lakshmi, Chandravathi, Indira Shanthi and Lakshmi Shanthi will perform the deities in the silver chariot and other women will drag the chariot around the temple premises.

He also said that the temple authority will provide one sari, blouse piece and box of kumkum to the widows, in order to continue the tradition of initiating revolutionary steps towards providing equal status to women to widows.

Poojary said that Women belonging to any caste or creed can register their names at the temple from 9 pm to participate in the religious proceedings which will start at 10.00 am on the day. The temple will also organize mass feeding for the devotees.

He urged the people to allow the widows to perform Lakshmi Pooja at their homes and become a part of the revolution.