Mysore, Aug 11, 2013:The 300-year-old Veerabhadreshwara Swamy and Chamarajeshwaraswamy Temple near Maharaja Sanskrit Patashala is getting a new ratha (chariot) for its second annual Rathotsava scheduled to be held on August 13 along with other festivities.
The ancient temple started the car festival only last year, for which the chariot of Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple, also used by Varaha Swamy Temple on the premises of Amba Vilas Palace, was used.
However, for this year, a wooden chariot has been readied at a cost of Rs six lakh. Krishnaiah, an artiste from Ganjam, Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, has carved it.
M S Maheswara Swamy, Chief Priest of the temple, said, the temple was built by Siddabasappa Swami during the Wadiyars rule. Then ruler Mummadi Chamaraja Wadiyar used to visit the temple often and would take part in Agni Kondotsava, which takes place during ‘Karthika masa’. In his memory, Chamarajeswara Swamy idol (Linga) was installed then.
He said, the temple conducts Rudrabhishekas and other pujas, funded by devotees. The funds were deposited in a bank, which has been utilised for the ratha, along with donations from many others for the purpose.
The ‘gopura’, renovated at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh, will also be unveiled during the event, which was built 12 years ago. For the first time, Maha Kumbabhisheka will be conducted.
A series of programmes have been queued up from August 12 on account of the annual fest and Sravana masa. On August 12, at 9 am, Seer Sri Renuka Shivacharya Swamiji will conduct Maha kumbabhisheka to the ‘rajagopura’. Theertha of seven rivers will be brought by 108 women in a procession from 101 Ganapathi Temple, Agrahara, to perform abhisheka to the gopura. M K Somashekar, MLA, K R Constituency, DCP A N Rajanna and others will participate.
The Veerabhadreshwara Swamy car festival is on August 13 at 10 am. Sri Shivananda Shivayogi Rajendra Swamiji of Kodi Mutt will inaugurate the car festival. S A Ramdas, ex-minister, P S Vastrad, Commissioner, Archeology Department, will participate.
