Mangaluru: The procession of the newly built chariot of the Kukke Subramanya Temple was flagged off from Kardi on Tuesday, October 1. It will be offered to Lord Subramanya on October 2.
The procession began yesterday from Koteshwar after the chariot was ritualistically handed over by renowned sculptor Laxminarayana Acharya. The chariot reached Kadri last night.
The procession is expected to reach the Kadaba village tomorrow night, from where the chariot will be led in a grand procession to be handed over to the Kukke temple.
Estimated to be worth over Rs 2 crores, the chariot was donated by Jaya Karnataka chief and businessman Muthappa Rai, along with businessmen Ajith Shetty Kadaba.
According to president of the Kukke Temple, Nithyananda Muddodi, the old Brahma Ratha, which is said to be well over 400 years old, had begun to show wear and tear.
“In the Asthamangala prashne (astrological process), it was predicted that donors will come forward and help in the construction of the new Brahma Ratha and the predictions came true,” he said.
According to Laxminarayana Acharya, a state and national accolade winner for his wood carving, the carving process took around one and a half years to complete. More than 40 dedicated artisans put their efforts, day and night, to complete the work.
“We are blessed to get this opportunity,” he said.
The Brahma Ratha stands about 62 feet tall and 17 feet wide, making it one of the tallest chariots in the state.
During the flagging off event in Kadri, Nithyananda Muddodi, Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple Trust president A J Shetty, Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty, former MLA J R Lobo, former mayor Bhaskar Moily and others were present.
