It is a tough task, taking on restoration of a 400-year old unworshipped temple. It is expensive as well - estimated cost, Rs.12 lakhs. Yet the Orissa Association in Mysore has taken the initiative to raise the resources to restore, to its old glory of the Chola era, Sri Lakshminarasimhaswamy temple at Belagula on the cauvery bank, near Srirangapatna."For a start, we have arranged to resume daily puja that was suspended over a decade ago," says the Orissa Association president D K Misra.
He is hopeful of completing restoration work in couple of years. A temple restoration, particularly the one steeped in history, can become an archaeologically sensitive issue. It would not be a straight-forward bulldozer case of demolition and rebuilding in its place, if archaeologists and temple-architects are to be satisfied. During a visit to Dresden, Germany, in early 90s, I had occasion to visit a bomb-ravaged cathedral being restored to its original shape.The ruined structure was dismantled, stone by stone. Every piece was coded and numbered so that every stone could later be replaced in the same spot in the re-built structure.
We don't know if Misra sahib plans to follow such painstaking routine, to give the restored temple an architectural validity. Among other things, it could drive up the cost beyond the currently estimated Rs.12 lakhs. This is an awful lot of money for anyone to raise, let alone the Orissa Association with a membership of 100.
That they have made a commitment on fund-raising speaks of the Oriya self-confidance. Or could it be their naivity ? Anyway, the Mysore Oriya initiative is commendable for it bold statement of civic intent. They have set out to accomplish what most of the rest of us are content to aspire, in our expressions at heritage conservation seminars and workshops. More significantly, the Oriyas of Mysore may well persuade us to redefine Mysoreism. It's more one's attitude and mindset than one's birth or linguistic status that go into the making of a Mysorean.
The philanthropical minded who would like to make a donation - presumably, you don't have to be an Oriya to do this - as well as those who want to wish them well could e-mail D K Misra at misradk@sancharnet.in, misradk@touchtelindia.net , or phone 2518427, 5280427; cell - 94483-54400. .
My wife who is an anthropologist and I went through your statement regarding the temple. I am engineer by profession and have specialization in large size projects implementation. We have also experienced civil engineers as our life members. My only fear is that we might face resources crunch. We will proceed according to the flow of funds. But everything is possible if we work with determination and having full trust in God.We plan to take advise from archeologists and experienced persons in temple building.
We have broadly distributed the renovation activities in three stages. Regular puja which was stopped since a long time have started. And the Gods and Goddesses in the temple are not only getting worshiped, they are also getting cooked prasadam daily. We have appointed a priest for puja and prasadam. Also we have appointed a part-time gardener to keep the surroundings clean. Once we repair the boundary wall and fix the gates, the work on developing the garden will start. We hope this will be done during the ensuing rainy season. Thanks for your appeal to philanthropists for helping us in our endeavor. We seek your support throughout the implementation of this noble project. D.K.Misra.
Temple renovation work was formally launched with puja, Nov.23, 2005. The cost estimate has shot up to Rs.30 lakhs. The Orissa Association, Mysore, president, Mr D K Misra is reported in Deccan Herald as saying that an earlier proposal by the association to build a Lord Jagannath temple in Mysore was given up in favour the temple renovation project. A Jagannath idol will be installed within the renovated temple.
