Mangaluru: Polali Shri Rajarajeshwari Temple in Bantwal taluk has planned to build a large gaushala (cow shelter) on 15 acres of its land, estimated to cost Rs 1.5 crore.The shelter, planned on the banks of the Phalguni River, will include worker quarters. The temple decided to construct the gaushala as it currently has no facility to protect cows offered by devotees.Manjayya Shetty, the temple’s hereditary trustee, told TOI that the temple, which is under the endowment department, has no gaushala. “People have been bringing and donating cattle at the temple. They bring cattle and tie them to poles on the temple premises as a ‘harake’ (offering). Hence, we decided to build a shelter for the cattle that the temple receives from devotees,” he said.The temple has reserved its own land for the project, and it will build the shelter and other facilities entirely with temple funds. No donors have contributed so far, Shetty said.“Once people come to know that there is a gaushala, the number of cattle donations will also increase. We have to appoint the staff and build staff quarters and other facilities there,” he added.Bantwal MLA U Rajesh Naik said the tender and contract processes for the cow shelter and other facilities are complete, and a work order has been issued to begin work.“We have taken up this project as part of our commitment to cow protection and the development of the religious centre. We held an officials’ meeting at the temple regarding the project. We reviewed the project blueprint and discussed building the cow shelter, a bathing ghat, workers’ quarters, and a warehouse. Preparations are currently under way to perform the Bhoomi Puja (groundbreaking ceremony) shortly,” the MLA said.
