The managing committee of the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple in Dakshina Kannada district on Monday approved a proposal made during 2005-06 to get a golden chariot done “as desired by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy” at an estimated cost of ₹77 crore. The funds will come from the temple’s own resources and contributions by devotees.
The government had in October 2005, given in-principle approval for a proposal to build the golden chariot at a cost of ₹15 crore with 240 kg of gold, when the late N. Dharam Singh was Chief Minister and administrative approval was given for it in March 31, 2006, when Mr. Kumaraswamy succeeded him.
The lowest bid of Lakshminarayana Acharya, Sr. Vishwakarma Karakushala Shilpakala Shale, Koteshwara, for chariot construction was approved by the government on April 7, 2006. However, the proposal went to cold storage later.
Temple managing committee president Nityananda Mundodi told The Hindu that the panel would submit a revised proposal to the government to get administrative approval. Asked about the personal interest of Mr. Kumaraswamy, Mr. Mundodi said he learnt about the proposal being in limbo while reviewing the temple affairs recently. He directed the committee to submit a fresh proposal for government approval.
Mr. Mundodi said the wooden chariot is ready and the process of affixing gold sheets was pending, which could be done in six months of getting the government approval. Cost escalation was owing to increase in gold price as well as artisan charges.
There is no dearth of fund as the temple has about ₹308 crore funds. Yet, the committee is of the view that devotees should be allowed to contribute to the cause and a separate bank account would be opened, Mr. Mundodi said.
