Mangaluru: ‘Souharda Circle’ inaugurated at Kuthar, bringing end to naming controversy
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Sep 3, 2026: A new traffic circle named ‘Souharda Circle’ (Harmony Circle) has been inaugurated at Kuthar Junction, bringing an end to the controversy that had earlier surrounded the naming of the circle.
Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader inaugurated the newly constructed circle on Tuesday night.
The controversy began in May when a private university was constructing a circle at Kuthar Junction and objections were raised to a proposal to name it after Koragajja. Junaid of Madani Nagar and 10 others had allegedly gheraoed then-local MLA and Assembly Speaker U T Khader, leading to a commotion. The incident drew widespread attention, following which a case was registered against the accused at Ullal police station.
The newly constructed Souharda Circle is expected to put the naming controversy to rest. A replica of Koragajja’s traditional muttale (headgear) and dante (staff) has been installed atop the circle. Direction signboards pointing towards Koragajja’s Adikshetra, Ranipura Church and Kundur Juma Masjid have also been erected.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Khader said religious beliefs should not be viewed as a weakness but as the strength of the land.
“The message of all religions is like medicine that heals another person’s physical wounds and pain in the mind,” he said.
Khader said the message of harmony should reach the entire country from Kuthar through the Souharda Circle.
“The development journey will not stop here. We will launch the widening of the Kuthar-Ambla Mogaru road tomorrow itself. The Public Works Department has allocated Rs 3 crore for the project,” he said.
He said Kuthar would be developed in the future as a region representing harmony and brotherhood. Khader also noted that the Koragajja shrine was among the factors contributing to a 20% increase in tourist visits to Ullal.
The inauguration was attended by B Sridhar Shetty Maganathadi, hereditary managing trustee of the Kuthar Panjandaya, Bant, Vaidyanatha and Adi Koragathaniya Kshetra; M Mahabala Hegde Debbeli, vice-president of the Panjandaya Bant Vaidyanatha Adi Koragathaniya Seva Trust; prominent members Ratnakara Kava Kuthar Guttu, Rajanna Bolyaguttu and Padmanabha Shetty Genimane; Nitte Deemed-to-be University Chancellor Vishal Hegde; Public Relations Officer Hemanth Shetty; Kanachur Group of Institutions chairman Kanachur Monu; Madani Nagar Juma Masjid president Aziz; Ranipura Church priest Fr Eric Crasta; Kuthar Sri Rajarajeshwari Kshetra president Pavithragatti, among others.