Dharmasthala : The Jagadgurus of Sringeri Sharada Peetam, Sri Bharati Tirtha Swamiji and his junior Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji, were in Dharmasthala on Sunday, to inaugurate a guesthouse built at the abode of Sri Manjunathaswamy.

Heeding a request by Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade made sometime back to visit Dharmasthala, the Swamijis arrived there on Saturday. Mr. Heggade had told the Swamijis that after the visit of Abhinava Vidyatirtha Swamiji, the Guru of Sri Bharati Tirtha Swamiji, the Sringeri Jagadgurus had not visited Dharmasthala.

Inaugurating the 500-room guesthouse, Sahyadri, at Dharmasthala, Sri Bharati Tirtha said that protecting and following Dharma should be one’s sole aim in life. The Swamiji said that one has to inculcate pious behaviour through soft talks, helping others and non-violence.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Heggade appealed to devotees to maintain cleanliness in the temple town even as every effort is being made to keep the Netravathi clean with the help of local residents. The Sahyadri guesthouse, he said, is eco-friendly and no wood has been used in its construction. Doors, windows and furniture are made of fibre, while solar power is used to provide hot water, he said.

Mr. Heggade also announced Rs. 1 crore special package for drought-hit areas, of which Rs. 50 lakh would be spent for drinking water and the balance for fodder.

Minister for Housing M.H. Ambarish and his wife Sumalatha, Belthangady MLA K. Vasantha Bangera, D. Harshendra Kumar, younger brother of Mr. Heggade, and others were present.