Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Mar 22: The famous Lord Venkataramana Temple located in Car Street here, which is backed by a history of over four centuries, is set to get a new facelift. Renovation plans of the temple will be given a beginning during this week.
The temple, being run by Gowda Saraswat Brahim community, has been a centre of reverence and faith not only for the people of this particular community, but also for a large number of families from all other sections of the society. Lord Veera Venkatesha is the presiding deity of this temple. The idol of the presiding deity was consecrated by Sri Vibhudendrateertha Swamiji of Kashi Mutt in 1804. The temple has all along been guided in its operations by Kashi Mutt Samsthan.
As the devotees and the temple administration have long felt the need for a thorough renovation of the temple, particularly the sanctum sanctorum and the perimeter wall, it has been decided to undertake renovation work, as per the directions of Sri Sudhindrateertha Swamiji, spiritual head of Kashi Mutt. A renovation committee has been formed for the purpose.
At 8 am on Wednesday March 23, prayers will be offered to begin the work of shifting the idols of the presiding deity and family deities to ‘Balalaya’ for facilitating renovation work. The work of shifting the idols to ‘Balalaya’ will begin at 10.26 am on Thursday March 24, coupled with various rituals to be adhered thereto. The foundation stone laying programme for the sanctum sanctorum and the perimeter wall as well as Nidhi Kalasha programme will be conducted by Sri Sudhindrateertha Swamiji on May 6, which happens to be ‘Askhaya Tritiya’ day. The re-consecration of the deities, upon renovation of the temple, will be conducted on January 24, 2012, under the guidance of Sri Sudhindrateertha Swamiji.
As part of the preliminary rituals for the renovation work, cows entered the temple premises on the evening of March 21. On the same evening, prayer, purification rituals like Rakshoghna Havana in Balalaya, Prayaschitta Havana etc, were undertaken. On March 23, Anujna Kalasha, Shatakalashabhisheka in the afternoon, special puja, Mahaprarthane etc., will be conducted.
In a release, the temple management has requested the devotees to wholeheartedly participate in these programmes in large numbers.