Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 27: The restoration of the Pumpwell Kalasha, which once stood as a symbolic landmark of the city, is progressing steadily and is expected to be fully ready to greet the New Year with a renewed glow.

The Kalasha, which was removed in 2016 during the construction of the Pumpwell flyover, is now in the final stages of reinstatement. The first phase of the work has already been completed. Only the installation of colourful lighting, planting of ornamental flower shrubs, and beautification of the surrounding area remain. Once the work is completed, a granite nameplate declaring the spot as ‘Mahaveer Circle’ will be installed.

The restoration process began on October 25 this year. In the early hours of the morning, around 4.30 am, with the support of various local organisations and residents, the Kalasha—kept near the Pumpwell outpost—was transported using a crane and trailer. It was then placed along the Pumpwell–Garodi road, where a platform had already been constructed under the Smart City project. The reinstatement work is currently being carried out under the supervision of the Jain Society.

The union government had earlier declared the nationwide celebration of the 2600th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Sri Mahaveer Swami from 2001 to 2002. Following this, Mangaluru City Corporation had named the junction ‘Mahaveer Circle’. The Jain Society and Jain community together developed the attractive Mahaveer Circle across 43 cents of land, including the installation of the 20-tonne Mangala Kalasha at an estimated cost of Rs 12 lac. The Kalasha had remained neglected for the past nine years, prompting continuous appeals from the Jain Society and Jain community for its relocation. A few months ago, the corporation granted permission for its reinstatement, after which the work began in line with civic guidelines.

Pushparaj Jain, president of the Jain Society said that the Kalasha is being reinstalled exactly as it stood earlier at Pumpwell. He also informed the final phase of work is underway, and the project is expected to be completed by January next year.