Udupi: A prominent pilgrimage Sri Krishna Temple centre which attracts thousands of devotees every year is now getting its sanctum tower covered with ‘gold.’
Addressing a press meet, the pontiff of Palimar Mutt Shree Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji, here on Monday, November 26 said that, the project would cost around Rs 32 Crore, in which the 2500 square feet sanctum tower would be covered completely with gold sheets.
The project will be utilising around 100 kg of gold, and currently, the devotees have donated Rs 11 Crore and 25 kg gold, which now has summed up to 60 kg.
The seer said that the project would still need about 45 kg more gold.
Currently, the temple management has decided to go for silver plates smeared with gold polish. For this around, 500 kg of silver is required.
Two reasons behind the management going for a silver plate with gold polish is that it needs time to accumulate the said amount of gold, and the other is that the experts have suggested that applying gold on a silver plate is feasible.
The management has also decided not to use elements such as mercury in the making of the gold plates, as the quality will deteriorate after several years.
The seer said that the design of the tower would be such that it will resemble the tile roof, which looks artistic, ethnic and will give an earthy feeling of the coastal culture. Skilled artists from Daivajnya and Vishwakarma community will be given the responsibility of the golden sanctum tower.
He also said that the golden tower will be constructed under the guidance of Venkatesh Shet of Pragathi Association.
During the initiation programme, Pejawar Matt Seer Sri Vishweshwa Theertha Swamiji, Krishnapura Matt’s Vidyasagar Swamiji, Adamaru Matt’s Vishwapriya Swamiji and his junior Eeshapriya Swamiji, Vysaraja Matt’s Vidya Shreesha Swamiji and Suvidyendra Swamiji would be present, said the Palimaru seer.
He also said that District In-charge Minister Jayamala, MLA Raghupati Bhat, MLC T V Sharavana, businessman Pattikionda Prabhakara and others would be present.
The project is scheduled to complete in four months.
The speciality of the golden tower will be that ancient and prominent scriptures of Madhwacharya will be sculpted, which are still worshipped in Sri Krishna Temple.
Also, it will be consisting of 21600 Hamsa Mantra (a Vedic chanting) engraved on the golden tower as a mark of devotion to Lord Krishna.
During the meet Shreesha Bhat, Scholar Venkatesha Acharya Kornahalli and others were present.
