Shree Venkatramana Temple: Gearing up for Re-consecration

Shree Venkatramana Temple: Gearing up for Re-consecration

Mangalore Today News Network

Photographs: Manju Neereshwallya

Mangalore, Jan 6, 2012: Shree Venkatramana Temple at Carstreet in Mangalore, will present a magnificent  look in all its glory within the next few days. The temple is  set to be one of the finest and most exquisite religious shrines of the region. This prominent temple belonging to the GSB community  and associated with the Sri Kashi Mutt Samsthan, is presently under renovation and the works are in the finishing stages.

 

The Punarprathishta Mahotsava (re-consecration) of the presiding deity Sri Veera Venkatesha and other Parivara deities will be performed on January 16, 2012 by Sri Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji, the senior Pontiff of the Kashi Mutt Samsthan and his disciple Sri Samyamindra Theertha Swamiji. Various programmes in connection with the Punarpratishta Mahotsava will be held from January 10  to 25.

 

 

The renovation project of this graceful temple estimated to cost around Rs 12 crores includes granite construction, teak wood work, silver doors for the sanctum sanctorum as well as the gudis of other parivara deities, copper roofings, a golden Kalasha on the top of the Sanctum Sanctorum, a Golden Throne (Simhaasana) studded with diamonds and  Navaratnas, a Dhwajasthambha with silver covering,  silver Mahadwara etc.  The new sanctum sanctorum will be taller than the old structure and is built using black stone. Even the Goshala, Nagabana and the  Rajangana of the Temple are being developed as part of the renovation. The renovation is done in accordance with the tenets of the Shastras by seeking guidance from the religious heads.

The temple with a glorious history of nearly three centuries  enjoys a place of pride among the temples of Mangalore and is one of the 18 temples belonging to the GSB community. Lord Veera Venkatesha  also known as the ‘Ishta Devatha’ of the Gowda Saraswath Brahmins is the presiding deity in the temple. The Panchaloha  of Lord Sri Veera Venkatesha with the sword hanging from the waist, an image of unique identity of grace, elegance and majesty was consecrated in the Garbhagriha in the year 1804 by Srimad Vibhudhendra Thirtha Swamiji of Kashi Mutt Samsthan. Sri Veera Venkatesha  is flanked by Sridevi and Bhoodevi on both sides at the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Shree Moola Venkataramana, Veera Vittala, Garudavaahana, Shree Gopalkrishna, Shree Hayagriva and Lord Shree Srinivasa are also worshipped. Poojas are also offered to the parivara devathas Shree Mukhyaprana, Shree Ganapathi, Shree Laxmi and Shree Garuda that are installed at the four corners of the temple.

 

 

The devotees and the management of the temple  had long felt  the need for renovation or Jeernoddhara of the temple particularly the sanctum sanctorum and the perimeter wall. Accordingly,  it was  decided to embark upon the renovation with due blessings and guidance of the Kashi Mutt seer . Renovation is indeed a major task requiring coordinated efforts from the various sections of the Samaj by evolving plans of systematic execution of each part of the project in consultation with engineers, architects and other resource persons of expertise for proper accomplishment within a minimum time frame. Devotees also felt that renovation and the services they put in towards this endeavour would be  an act of rededication of their devotion to the Lord. Till date, thousands of Kar Sevaks or volunteers, both men and women  have joined hands  in the noble task of renovation works.

The renovation work had begun  with traditional fervor on March 24,2011 with  the shifting of the idols of Lord Veera Venkatesha and other family deities to ‘Balalaya.’ Special Poojas were offered to pave way for the comprehensive renovation of the sanctum sanctorum and perimeter wall which began with the ‘Mahaprarthane’, followed by various Vedic rituals and Abhishekhas.

The ‘Nidhi Kalasha Shilanyasa’ the first step towards re-consecrating Lord Venkataramana in the temple, was conducted at the premises of  the Temple on  May 6 this year. The ceremony was held  under the guidance of Sri Sudhindra Teertha Swamiji. As part of  Jeernoddhara and Punah Prathishta’ (renovation and re-consecration) of the  Temple a new flag pole or Dhwajasthambha was also erected at the Temple premises  some time back.

Sri Sudhindra Theertha Swamiji  will be arriving at the temple on January 10, 2012 in view of the re-consecration or Punarpratishta of the deities to be held in the temple on January 16. The Golden Throne (Simhasana) of the Lord will be taken out in a procession on the evening of January 10. Thousands of GSB brethren are expected to take part in the grand and memorable events including various religious rituals to be held at the Temple from January 10 to 25 when devotees can  have a majestic view of   Lord Sri Veera Venkatesha in all his glory in the renovated sanctum sanctorum. The car festival programmes will be held in the temple from January 26 to 31.n