Beltangady: Dr Veerendra Heggade Offers Golden Kalashas to Vittal Temple

Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Jan 6: Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dr D Veerendra Heggade presented three golden 'kalashas' on behalf of the Kshetra to the administrators of Vittal Temple, during a ceremony held at Amritavarshini hall in Dharmasthala here on Sunday January 6.

Mohandas Swamiji of Manila, Vittal Panchalingeshwar Temple trustee Krishnayya Ballal and L N Kudoor received the kalashas in the presence of D Harshendra Kumar.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Heggade said that Manjayya Heggade, who was the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple from 1918 to 1955 had his roots in Vittal. "There has been an innate bond between Vittal and Dharmasthala since olden times. The three golden 'kalasha' are being given to Vittal Panchalingeshwara Temple which took birth taking inspiration from Sri Manjunatha Swamy," he said.

Dr Heggade praised the people for their true devotion and offerings made in a meaningful and systematic way, thereby preserving the heritage of the Temple and keeping alive its tradition. "This is a place built by the people themselves, let it glow and shine and continue to be a meeting point of faith and wisdom," he said.

"Around 160 temples around the state have been renovated under the Dharamasthala Dharmottana Trust and handed over to the local bodies," he added.

Each golden kalasha has been made with one kg of gold at a cost of Rs 40 lac, altogether costing Rs 1.20 crore for three 'kalasha'. The kalasha has been sculpted with copper and mercury with gold coating on the surface, and heating with camel skin to ensure that the gold remains firm," Dr Heggade informed.

Later the 'kalasha' were brought to Vittal Temple in a grand procession.