The new golden flag mast (swarna dhwaja) of the Shakthikulangara Dharma Sastha temple here was consecrated on Thursday morning, in the presence of hundreds of devotees. The ritual was led by former Sabaraimala melsanthi Edamana Balamurali. The other ceremonies in connection with the event were led by tantri Muthedathu Manayil Harshan Namboodiri.
After the consecration ceremonies, the flag was hoisted to mark the commencement of a six-day festival as per tradition after a new flag mast is consecrated and installed.
Temple committee president B. Ramanujan Pillai said that the golden flag mast was erected as part of a Rs.3-crore maintenance project at the temple. Half the amount came from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the remaining half shared by the four kara devaswom committees of the temple.
6.1 kg gold
A total of 6.1 kg of gold had been used for the flag mast, Mr. Pillai said. The golden plates were crafted by Madura Balakrishnan. Work on the flag mast was completed in 40 days by 42 workers. The flag mast was made of high quality teak brought from the Naduvathurmoozhi forest range on August 9 last year. The carving of the teak log for the flag mast was done by Kozhikode Sasidharan. It was then plated with gold.
The work was carried out under the supervision of a committee constituted by the High Court and led by Advocate Commissioner A.S.P. Kurup. Mr. Pillai said that prior to the consecration of the flag mast the position of the temple’s presiding deity was shifted as per religious requirements. The rituals were followed by a cultural conference which was inaugurated by TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan.
