Mangalore : Hundreds of people were witness to a great occasion at the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple which is celebrating Dasara, when two widows who are appointed priests of the temple performed pooja to the presiding deity and other deities as also the idol of Goddess Sharada.

The two priests Indira Shanthi of Bannur in Puttur and Lakshmi Shanthi of Bantwal Mooda were brought in a procession and then performed the pooja even to the idol of Brahmashree Narayan Guru. They distributed Theertha Prasadam to the gathering. There was Maha Annasantharpane in the temple later on.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion, Poojari said through the appointment of women priests, the temple wants to help widows join the mainstream society and prevent oppression of women. He said the shrine was ready to train women as priests if they are interested.

Moidin Bava, MLA, H S Sairam, Temple Management Committee President,. Raghavendra Kulur, Madhava Suvarna, Padmaraj R, B K Taranath, Harikrishna Bantwal and others were present.