Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 6: A new chariot made of gold, which is claimed to be biggest in the state, is all set to be dedicated to Goddess Durgaparameshwari, presiding deity of Kateel temple on Sunday February 8.
Temple executive officer, Ningaiah, who gave this information at a press conference held on Thursday February 5, said that this effort is set to write a new chapter in the religious history of the state. He informed that state muzrai minister, T B Jayachandra, will be dedicating the chariot.
At the press conference held at the temple premises, he explained that the work of collecting donations for the proposed golden chariot in the form of gold, silver, and cash, began in 2002. 'So far, 8.45 kg gold, 190 kg silver, and cash donation of Rs 1.64 crore has been collected. For the golden chariot built at a cost of about Rs 4.5 crore, 11 kg gold and 190 kg silver have been used. Gold from the stock of the temple has been additionally used. The chariot, which is 14'1" in height, happens to be the tallest such chariot in the state,' he claimed.
About the steps taken for the security of the golden chariot, Ningaiah said that apart from a gunman and closed circuit televison cameras, additional safety procedures would be followed. He also revealed that a unique shrine built by the Radha Vittal Shetty Kallateguthu family at a cost of about Rs 35 lac at Kudru, the site where demon Arunasura was annihilated, and which happens to be the original abode of Goddess Durgaparameshwari, will be inaugurated by union minister, Sripad S O Nayak, on February 9, and various religious rituals will be held on this occasion.
'In both these programmes, ministers, MPs, MLAs, top officials, social leaders, and other dignitaries will be participating. The temple has now given added importance cleanliness and hygiene, and now we have not been releasing any effluents into River Nandini. We want to clarify that it is the responsibility of the local gram panchayat to handle the issue of releasing waste into the river by local hotels, shops, and other establishments,' he said. To a question, he clarified that it is proposed to remove a toilet standing on the path to Kudru, and that development works there have already been initiated.
Hereditory trustee of the temple, Vasudeva Asranna, Gujjady Ramdas Nayak of 'Swarna', which created this chariot, and priest, Harinarayanadasa Asranna, were present at the press conference.
The shrine at Kudru, where the idol of the Goddess reportedly emerged from under the earth on its own, has been built by sculptor, by Vishnumurthy Bhat Yellur, under the guidance of noted Vaastu expert, Subrahmanya Bhat Gundibail in north Kerala style. Serpent god has also been installed. A number of additional development works are planned in near future. Till 1977, puja and other procedures were being conducted at this site measuring 2.65 acres during annual car festival, explained Asranna.