Mangalore: Belthangady-based Praja Prabhutva Vedike conducted ‘navachandiyaga’, which is performed by 11 women priests, at the Belthangady taluk stadium on Friday for two causes.

Prime cause is to seek justice for the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl near Dharmasthala, which took place two years ago. Secondly, the yaga sought the protection of women against atrocities.

On Friday, as many as 11 women priests performed the duties of head priests for each of the 11 ‘yaga kunda’ that was set up for the navachandiyaga. Besides, the event witnessed 1,008 married women taking part, which was a first of its kind in the south Asia. There were more than 10,000 people at the occasion.

The women prayed to the Goddess Chandi, who is fierce incarnation of goddess Shakti.

Kollur temple chief Manjunath Adiga, Kemmaru Sandeepani Sadhana Ashram Esha Vittal Swamiji were among many other seers took part in the ritual.

On Sowjanya case, Mahesh Shetty Thimarody told reporters that despite persistent struggle to book the perpetrators in the case, the culprits are out in the open.