Orissa Association Mysore - renovation of 11th century Sri Venkateswara and Bhoga Narasimha temple.
Dilip Misra
Dear Patrons, Devotees and Members of OAM,
I would like to invite you with family to kindly attend and participate in performance of “Gudali Puja” for commencing the 2nd stage of renovation work, on Sunday, the 3rd June 2012 in the temple premises. The timing of puja is from 11 am to 2 pm. The date and time has been decided by Professor Vidwan Sri Satyanarayan, who will personally conduct the rituals. I would like to mention a few lines about the temple and its’ present status.
About the temple:
The ancient temple of 11th century, situated near Belagola village, Mandya District, on the banks of Cauvery and 2.5 km off Brindavan Gardens road, with presiding deities, Sri Venkateswara and Sri Bhoga Narasimha along with Sri Devi & Bhu Devi, although belongs to the Muzrai department of Government of Karnataka, was in dilapidated condition and on the verge of collapse, when miraculously discovered by the members of Orissa Association Mysore (OAM) in the year 2003. As part of its’ socio-cultural obligations, OAM decided to renovate and restore the shrine. After obtaining permission from government authorities, OAM took up the renovation work in 2005 and successfully completed the 1st stage work in the year 2008 with an expenditure of around Rs.28 lakhs. Since then regular puja activities and rituals are being performed.
Experts from the fields of archeology, engineering and accountings were involved in preparation of detailed project report and its’ implementation. Archeologists have carried out research and determined the origin of the temple to 11th century. Under the direct guidance and supervision of these archeologists, utmost care has been taken to restore this historical temple in its’ original style, with least use of new material like cement and steel etc. Over and above, many devotees and patrons from Bangalore, Mysore and from other places of Karnataka and Odisha came forward to provide generous financial assistance to complete the 1st stage work successfully in a time bound schedule.
Next stage renovation work:
As initially envisaged, OAM now plans to start the next stage of work by constructing the boundary wall, rooms for accommodation of the priest, the security man, and a rest room for the out station devotees with toilets. The members of OAM have dreams to make this beautiful temple self-sustaining by constructing a community hall for conducting marriages and other religious functions. It has been estimated that the next stage renovation work will cost approximately Rs.25.00 lakhs for which a detailed project report is being prepared.
OAM is vigorously following up with Government authority for survey of temple land and its’ recovery from encroachers.
Recently the temple has been ransacked and damaged by the burglars three times. The hundi was broken and money in it was taken away. The rugged doors made out of teakwood were extensively damaged and four costly locks were broken. As a result the temple has incurred a loss of a few thousands of rupees. Hence the necessity of immediate construction of boundary wall is felt.
In view of above, OAM has decided to start the 2nd stage work from 3rd June and complete it in six months’ time. You are requested to kindly extend your support either in form of finance or construction materials and get blessings from gods.
Dilip Kumar Misra, the president of Orissa Association Mysore may be contacted for any further information through phone Nos: 9448354400 and (0821)2518427 and e-mail: mis...@hotmail.com. The website of Orissa Association Mysore, www.mysoreoriya.org may also be visited to know details about the temple and also the association.