The Hindu : Ancient temple in Udupi renovated

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 27, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Ancient temple in Udupi renovated

By Our Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE APRIL 27. The Brahmakalashotsava Committee (Mangalore division) of the Sri Venugopalakrishna Temple, in Kolake-Irvathur of Karkala taluk, Udupi District, has planned a series of festivities to mark the renovation of the temple that has a history spanning eight centuries. The temple will be consecrated through several rituals spread over nine days beginning Wednesday.

At a press conference here on Friday, the Working President of the committee, K. Anantharama Rao, said undivided Dakshina Kannada District was home to many temples, each at least 500 years old. Sri Venugopalakrishna Temple, about 10 km from Karkala and 15 km from Moodbidri, is surrounded by greenery.

Mr. Rao said about 18 months ago, a group of devotees, donors, and philanthropists decided to renovate the temple, its deities — Mukhyaprana, Naga, and Vygra Chamundeshwari — and the sanctums — navarang, palli, and mukhamantapa — all of which were crumbling. Mr. Rao said residents of Kolake-Irvathur also came forward to help the cause. The renovation was completed at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh, Rs. 65 lakh for the actual renovation and the rest, on the festivities. He said this was the first "Brahmakalashotsava" in the region. Mr. Rao gave special thanks to Sridhar Kadamba and his brothers who had donated a stretch of 1.5 km on their property for the construction of an approach road. He said the committee had requested bus operators to ply their vehicles on the route during the festivities.

The Vedic scholar, Muralidhar Tantri from Yedapadavu, and his team would supervise all the festivities. The Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, D. Veerendra Heggade would participate in the festivities, Mr. Rao said. Arrangements had been made to bring "horekanike" to the deity from different places.

The Joint Secretary of the committee and a leading neurosurgeon, I. Gopalakrishna Bhat, said that the Director of Alvas Education Trust, Mohan Alva, would inaugurate the function on May 4. The Dharmadarshi of Sri Kshetra Kanthavara, Jeevadhar Ballal, would preside.

The seer of Sri Kshetra Subramanya, Vidya Prasanna Tirtha, would deliver a benediction on the occasion.

The Dharmadarshi of Sri Annapoorneshwari Kshetra, Hornad, Bheemeshwar Joshi, would inaugurate the valedictory function. The former Chief Minister, M. Veerappa Moily, would preside over the function. The seer of Pejavar Adokshaja Math, Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji, and his disciple, Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swamiji, would deliver benedictions, he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

New engg. colleges support Govt.'s stand

Govt. happy with Plan outlay: Krishna

Ancient temple in Udupi renovated

Maharashtra to release water into Krishna

Steps taken to tackle SARS: Kagodu

Centre to release Rs. 43 cr. for relief works

Postal stamp planned to mark SN birth centenary