Mangalore : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the Mangalore Dasara 2014 celebrations of Sri Gokarnanatha Temple at Kudroli on September 27, Saturday evening.

Speaking on the occasion, CM said that former union minister B Janardhana Poojary had suggested him to appoint women priests in Religious and Endowment Department temples and he will appoint decide to appoint them on an experimental basis and hoped to get no opposition for such a decision.

CM also said that there was necessary to unite the society from the people who are trying to disrupt the forces in the name of religion. The people of country must not forget that there is only one God worshipped in different names.

Speaking on contributions of Brahmashree Narayana Guru, CM said that Narayana Guru was the great saint reformer who had established a temple for the backward and oppressed classes a century ago.

Prior to the stage programme, Chief Minister offered special prayers to Lord Sri Gokarnanatheshwara and worshipped idols of Goddess Sharada, Navadurgis and Lord Mahaganapathi are installed at the temple premises.

The temple trustee felicitated CM with shawl and a Radha Krishna idol as a memento.

Former union minister B Janardhana Poojary presided over the function.

State Forest Minister Ramanatha Rai, Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, State Sports Minister Abhayachandra Jain, State Health Minister UT Khader, MLA JR Lobo, MLA BA Moidin Bava, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Mayor Mahabala Maarla and Temple office bearers were present on the occasion.