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The ‘hore kanike’ (donation in kind) procession that was inaugurated at Nehru Maidan on Sunday, marked the beginning of the centenary celebrations of Kudroli Shri Gokarnanatheshwara temple.

More than 800 vehicles laden with paddy, vegetables, coconuts, jaggery, sugar and other food items were taken out in a grand procession to the temple, where the offerings were made. People gathered at the Maidan premises at around 3 pm and registered their vehicles and submitted a list of their offerings.

There was festive spirit atNehru Maidan with the presence of tableaus,  bands played by various youth organisations, the traditional chende and people dancing wearing costumes of peacocks, dolls and yakshagana characters. The Maidan and vehicles were decorated with yellow flags bearing the portrait of social reformer Narayana Guru.

Inaugurating the procession by breaking a coconut, former union minister B Janardhan Poojary said that the number of people and vehicles participating in the hore kanike procession is truly a record.

“The devotees will walk nearly seven kilometres with their offerings. This shows their devotion. The  Gokarnanatheshwara temple is open to people from all castes and religions. Even Hindus and Muslims have brought Horekanike to the temple. We should uphold the values which were taught by Narayana Guru,” he said.

Speaking to the mediapersons, Temple Development Committee Member Harikrishna Bantwal said that people from Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujrath, and various districts of Karnataka have come to partake in the horekanike procession.

  “I am a great devotee of Narayana Guru. Kudroili Gokarnanatheshwara temple is the only temple founded by him in Karnataka. I am privileged to be a part of this procession,” said Sanath Shetty from Mumbai.

“I have brought four sacks of paddy that was grown in my field as an offering,” said Ganesh from Kasargod.

“Narayana Guru, the reformer was born in a backward community of Ezhavas. He tried to break the barriers of caste and religion. I like his preachings. I have come with my family with my offering,” said Francis D’Souza.

The procession that was started at the Maidan passed through A B Shetty Circle, K S Rao Road, PVS Circle, M G Road, Lady Hill, Mannagudde before culminating at the temple. The offerings will be used for the preparation of ‘Mahaannasantharpane’. About one lakh people were expected to partake meals during mass feeding.