Basar temple renovation: Devotees can now visit Balalayam

The presiding deity of the Gnana Saraswathi temple at Basar has been shifted to a Balalayam from July 5 as part of a Rs 354-crore renovation project. Devotees will continue to perform rituals, including Aksharabhyasam, at the sub-temple while the main shrine undergoes reconstruction over the next two years.

Nirmal: The famed Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam-Basar executive officer Anjana Devi said that devotees would have to visit the presiding deity of the shrine in a Balalayam from July 5 in the wake of the proposed renovation. She addressed media persons in Basar on Friday.

Anjana stated that the renovation of the ancient temple commenced at an estimated cost of Rs 354 crore. As a result, the president deity was shifted to Balalayam for facilitating the renovation works. She advised the devotees to take darshan of the deity in the sub-temple from July 5 onwards.

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The executive officer further said that the process of shifting the deity was carried out under the guidance of prayers from Sringeri. She said that arrangements were made for performing Aksharabhyasam or initiation into the world of alphabets at the sub-temple. Special Aksharayabyasam, priced at Rs 1,000 would be allowed at this temple, while the ritual costing Rs 100 was going to be held at the old EO office.

Endowment officials said that idols of goddess Saraswathi, Laxmi Devi and Mahankali were relocated after performing certain rituals. However, prayers continue every day at the existing shrine considering the spiritual significance of the holy place. A report was submitted to the higher officials over shifting the idols. The officials gave their nod recently.

According to the officials, the main temple is being reconstructed as per the master plan of the renovation approved by the government. Structures were going to be established for organizing mass Aksharabhyasam programmes, while new queue lines and four lane roads, counters for selling prasadam, etc., will be created under the renovation. Work is expected to be complete by two years.