A grand puja and homa, organized by the Kannada film industry on August 14 to uplift the industry amidst challenging times, received both support and criticism. Doddanna, justifying the event, stated, "To those who criticize, we acted with good intentions. Our motives were pure, and I hope they can also see the positive intent behind our actions." Here are the details of the event:
- Priests from the Karavali region, including the renowned Prakash Ammannaya from Kaup, were specially brought in for the puja.
- The preparation for the mega puja began the night before, with a gana homa, Mrutyunjaya homa, and Ashlesha bali puja conducted over a span of half a day.
- The approximate costs for the puja were as follows: Gana homa: Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000, Mrutyunjaya homa: Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, Ashlesha puja: Up to Rs 30,000.
- The detailed mandala for the Ashlesha puja room took six hours to design, following a strict protocol to ensure ceremonial sanctity.
The inspiration behind this event was the belief that divine intervention could provide solace when faced with challenges beyond human control. Just as families seek spiritual solace during tough times, the film industry, considered as a big family, turned to faith for guidance. Doddanna expressed that the senior members of the industry initiated the puja for the greater good and emphasized the importance of faith during crises.It is an obligation to attend. When an artist invites you to their home for a religious ceremony, we all usually make an effort to go. Therefore, when the industry gathers for a noble cause, it is only proper to show up and participate. - Gurukiran, music director
