The Hindu : Karnataka News : Hadinarukalu Mantapa in peril

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Saturday, Nov 10, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Hadinarukalu Mantapa in peril

Staff Correspondent

Urgent measures are required to restore the ancient structure

MYSORE: “Hadinarukalu Mantapa”, a 16-pillar tower, which is a prominent landmark partially submerged in River Kapila at Nanjangud, is in peril. One of the pillars of the mantapa has crumbled and the tower is now standing on only 15 pillars. If urgent measures are not taken to strengthen the weak structure, it might soon become a thing of the past.

The tower is said to have been built by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar about 300 years ago for holding “Teppotsava” of Lord Srikanteshwaraswamy, the presiding deity of Nanjangud.

During the monsoon, when excess water is released from the overflowing Kabini dam, the tower gets submerged in the flood waters.

Weakening structure

According to the local people, the age-old structure had become weak because of strong water currents thrashing the pillars. “Had the authorities taken steps to restore the mantapa, the pillar would not have detached,” they said.

They added that the venue of “Teppotsava”, conducted during the Jathra Mahotsava of Lord Srikanteshwaraswamy which draws lakhs of devotees, was reportedly shifted from “Hadinarukalu Mantapa” to the bathing ghat (Snana Ghatta) after the temple surroundings were developed and facilities were extended to devotees.

Also, there was not much space available for the devotees to stand and watch the proceedings of the annual ritual near the mantapa. The tower was neglected in the subsequent years and it finally fell into a state of ruin, they said.

The mantap comes under the control of Department of Muzrai, which oversees the management of the massive temple complex at Nanjangud.

In fact, the department was not aware that one of the pillars had crumbled.

Department officials in Nanjangud maintain that a project costing Rs 12.7 lakh had been proposed to rejuvenate the structure before the incident took place. The proposal had received technical approval from the then Janata Dal(Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition Government, but the administrative approval had not been given, they said.

Known as “Dakshin Kashi” for its famous Srikanteshwaraswamy Temple and the Kapila, Nanjangud draws many tourists during the weekends.

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