Gather with waste, polluted water, hyacinth, dirt and garbage are the most describing Lake Gujakyakere Mangaluru until now.
Spread over three hectares, not only Gujjarakere the oldest lake in Kudla, but also one of the biggest with historical significance attached to it.
For decades, this ancient lake becomes neglected and treated as a disposal site for waste materials.
But all this now is a thing from the past: Lake Gujjarakere has been revived and returned to his glory, thanks to the Lake Awakening Project.
A holy lake with a 1,800 year old history ofgend said that Lake Gujjarakere was founded by Saint Gorakshanatha.
“Water from the lake is said to have medicinal properties and can cure a number of diseases, including skin infections.
Water spring feeds the lake and it is used to drink by locals,” Shares Yogyih Kumar Jeppu, President Gujjarakere Theertha Samrakshana Samithi, a local body that has been Working to preserve the lake since 2002.
“Previously, the religious procession of neighboring temples Mangaladevi and Marigudi would pass through this lake and the gods made to have a Jhalaka (Holy Bath) before continuing further.
But during the last century, this religious activity stopped completely .
And with the industry appearing around this area, the lake water becomes very polluted.
Mangalore City Corporation also began treating it as a disposal site, “Yogish added.
Setting the Course for the Resurrection “The rise of the lake in Mangaluru is a dream project and we identify eight lakes like that in a damaged state.
Gujjarakere is the one we can return to his glory, especially considering his historical interests,” said Mangaluru City South MLA, Vedayas Kamates.
“The lake has many drainage seeping into it, which is a concern field.
We remove garbage, clean weeds and mud and install steel fences around the lake to prevent further pollution.
We also have created jogging and walking around it to the public.
Most importantly, we want to revive the god’s tradition brought here for Jhalaka during the religious festival, “he replied.
Mangaluru, a city on the edge of the lake from eight lakes that has been identified for facelift, four – blazal, kudroli, jeppinamogaru and gujjarakere – has finished, and works on the rest is ongoing.
“The water body sustained the city and when they were destroyed, it was a big concern problem.
Now, not only they have been revived, but we have a place of peace and tranquility to retreat into the middle of the city’s life,” Neena Umesh shares, a blazal resident.
– Madhu Daithota.