Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (SP)

Kaup, Mar 31: The Uchila Goddess Mahalaxmi temple has a history of about 65 years. It has been exhaustively renovated now. The reconsecration of the idol and Brahmakalashotsava have been planned to be performed in a grand manner on Friday, April 1.

The Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha at its meeting, had formed a renovation committee of which Dr G Shankar is the honorary president and Gundu B Ameen the president. Under the leadership of Vaastu expert Vidwan Sri Subrahmanya Bhat Gundibail and temple Tantry, Raghavendra Tantry Kukkikatte, the stone-carved sanctum sanctorum, stone-carved Bhadrakali shrine, shrine of Sri Prasanna Ganapati and serpent god, perambulatory path, Gurupeeta, temple tower, Yaga hall, Vasanta Mantapa, car street, outer precincts, open air theatre, underground drainage system, interlock and pond have been built at a total cost of Rs 32 crore.

Deity Mahalaxmi who is worshipped here is the goddess of riches. The people believe that goddess Mahalaxmi of Uchila is the third most revered and potent idol after Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur and Mumbai. 

The temple has been beautifully reconstructed. Expert sculptors have carved the temple on the model of the Hoysala tradition of art. Granite has been used inside and outside the temple. It also depicts beautiful wood carvings. The art here looks like the ones in Belur and Halebeedu. The wooden carved idols have been created by Harish Acharya Kalamundkoor. In the past, it was not possible to have the Darshan of the goddess from close quarters, Now with the spacious sanctum sanctorum,,the devotees can view the idol from close by.

This temple is known for unique puja procedures. The temple observes 11 puja procedures everyday. They include Usha Kala, Nimala Vosarjane, Udaya puja etc, During Navaratri festival, special decoration  is done to the goddess everyday and special pujas are offered. During the Suggi period, a grand annual car festival is held and everyday the visitors are provided with a community feast. 

Goddess Mahalaxmi idol was consecrated in Uchila in 1957. Like Lord Krishna of Udupi, Mahalaxmi here gets puja right from the morning to evening. As per Kerala tradition, 16 services are also offered to the presiding deity.

Devotees are eager to participate in the reconsecration of the idols of Prasanna Ganapati, Bhadrakali, Nagadeva and  Mahalaxmi between April 1 and 15.