The dedication ceremony of Suvarna Gopura or gold dome on the sanctum sanctorum was held at the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple here on Thursday. Seers of the Ashta Mutts performed the Suvarna Gopura Shikara Pratishte and Sahasra Rajata Kalashabhisheka.
The construction of the Suvarna Gopura is an ambitious project taken up by Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt during his second Paryaya (2018-20). Under this project, the roof of the gopura (dome) of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple has been adorned with sheets made from 300 kg of copper, 900 kg of silver and over 100 kg of gold.
The Suvarna Gopura has the shape of tiles reflecting the architecture of the coastal region. The copper sheet has been laid on teak wood structure of the gopura. The copper sheet has been covered with silver sheet and topped with a gold sheet. Gold in 23 carat has been used so that the sheet is strong and retains its colour.
The Sarvamoola religious texts written by the exponent of Dwaita philosophy Sri Madhwacharya have been printed on the copper sheet using laser technology. The total cost of this project is about ₹ 40 crore. A team of 36 artisans worked under Venkatesh Shet to construct the Suvarna Gopura. As many as 25 carpenters too were involved in this work for the last six months.
Various religious rituals were held to mark the dedication ceremony (samarpanotsava) at the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple, including the Tatva Mantra Homa, Dhanwantri Homa, Ganayaga, Srikara Mantra Homa and Adhivasa Homa.
Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Pejawar Mutt, Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami, Vidyasagara Tirtha Swami of Krishnapur Mutt, Vishwapriya Tirtha Swami of Admar Mutt, Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swami of Kaniyur Mutt, Vishwavallabha Tirtha Swami of Sode Mutt, Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Pejawar Mutt, Ishapriya Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Admar Mutt, Vidyarajeshwara Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Palimar Mutt, participated in the religious rituals.