MANGALORE: The Ashtabandha Brahmakalashotsava of the 800-year-old Sri Garuda Mahakali temple at Arala-Koyla village in Bantwal taluk will be held on Sunday. The 11-day festivities connected with the ceremony will begin on Wednesday.

This historical temple was renovated in a record time at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 crore.

B. Nagaraj Shetty, Minister for Muzrai, Fisheries, Horticulture and district in-charge, told presspersons here on Tuesday that the temple was well known for the idol of Garuda Mahakali, the presiding deity, which was carved out of a large tree. Mr. Shetty, also the president of Brahmakalashotsava Samiti, said the temple situated close to the Phalguni, was renowned for communal amity. People from other communities donate to the temple during its annual festival.

N.M. Adyanthaya, president of the renovation committee, lauded the people of villages nearby for volunteering in the repair work.

The villagers collected up to Rs. 45 lakh through hundis kept outside each house, he said. Renovation of the temple was carried out under the guidance of architect Gunavanteshwara Bhat by his disciple Srinivas.

Mr. Shetty said the seer of Sri Edneer Math, Sri Keshavananda Bharati, would deliver benedictions at the function to be held as part of the Brahmakalashotsava festivities. The Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade would preside over the function.

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