Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Mar 7: Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, informed the media persons on Sunday March 6 that the construction work of the perimeter wall of Lord Manjunatheshwara temple in Dharmasthala has been completed, and that in this connection, re-consecration of family deities, followed by Bramakalashotsava will be performed between March 14 and 18.

He added that the perimeter wall now has an added grandeur because of artistic stone and wood sculptures that have been included in it. This work, which was going on since the last four years, has cost about one crore rupees for stoned wall and two crore rupees for wood and its carving.  The works, which are in conformity with the traditions followed in coastal Karnataka, contain some attractive carvings of gods, goddesses, and attractive designs, Heggade explained.  Sthapati Dakshinamurty, who has guided constructions of a number of temples in India and abroad, provided guidance to these works, he added. Heggade said that the perimeter wall has been renovated after about 400 years, as per an estimate.

During the re-consecration and Brahmakalashotsava, the idols of Annappa Swamy, Brahmasthana and Istha Devathes will be re-consecrated on March 17. Religious leaders including Subrhmanya Sri Vidyaprasanna Swamiji and Sri Shakti Amma Swamiji of Vellore, will attend the programme being organized to honour the sculptors. Every day at 7 am, Vidyavachaspati Dr Santosh Guruji will deliver religious discourses from March 14 to 17. A souvenir is also being brought out to commemorate the occasion, he explained.

Heggade added that the work of providing gold coating to the roof of Lord Manjunatheshwara sanctum sanctorum is also in progress.

D Surendra Kumar and D Harshendra Kumar were present at the press conference.