Aane Gudda temple ready for Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations with 10,000 kotte kadubu

Tekkatt: The Sri Vinayaka Temple at Anegudde, Kumbashi, is gearing up for Sri Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ashtottara Sahasra Nalikera Ganayaga on Monday, September 14. The temple premises have been decorated with flowers ahead of the celebrations.

Brass relief artwork to showcase temple history

A grand relief artwork depicting the historical background of the Anegudde Sri Vinayaka temple is being constructed by the temple administration using pure brass. The work is currently under way.

The earlier cement relief artwork had deteriorated over time. With the aim of preserving the temple's traditions, local legends and history for future generations, it is being recreated in a new form using modern technology.

Moulds are being prepared using 3D mould technology, following which the relief artwork is being crafted in pure brass by skilled artists. The initiative is described as a unique effort to preserve the history and local legend of the temple using modern technology.

A protective lacquer coating has been applied to the artwork, giving it a golden-like shine.

Around 1,500 kg of brass has been used for the artwork, which has taken nearly eight months of continuous craftsmanship.

As the brass structure is considerably heavier than the earlier cement artwork, a decorative stone pedestal has been constructed from the ground in accordance with Vastu principles to ensure its safety, stability and durability.

The area surrounding the relief artwork has been decorated with teakwood craftsmanship. Modern LED lighting has also been installed so that the artwork remains clearly visible and attractive at night.

The project has cost more than Rs 1 crore and is being carried out with financial contributions from devotees and funds from the temple treasury, administrative trustee K Sriramana Upadhyaya told Udayavani.

21 varieties of dishes to be offered

As part of the Chaturthi celebrations, around 21 varieties of food items will be offered to the deity by the temple administration. Prasada will be distributed to devotees visiting the temple throughout the day.

More than 10,000 kotte kadubu prepared

Devotees can offer special services including Satya Ganapati Vrata, Rangapuja and Mahapuja in addition to regular arati and worship.

Kotte kadubu, a traditional preparation cooked in leaves of the mundaka plant available locally, is considered a special offering to Sri Vinayaka at Anegudde. Devotees fulfil vows by offering quantities ranging from one seer to 12 mudis, or around 400 kg, of kadubu.

In preparation for the festival, women from the priestly families have prepared more than 10,000 kotte kadubu and over 10,000 portions of panchakajjaya over the past two days using mundaka leaves.

The celebrations will continue at night with Maharanga Puja, Ashtavana Seva and Thottilu Seva. As part of the traditional rituals, the deity will be taken in a golden palanquin procession and placed at the Olagamantapa for the thottilu seva.

More than 70,000 devotees are expected to visit the temple during the celebrations.

Parking arrangements in place

A well-equipped parking facility has been arranged on the northern side of the temple exclusively for vehicles of devotees.

- T. Lokesh Acharya, Tekkatt