Former underworld don dedicates chariot worth Rs 1 crore to temple

Former underworld don dedicates chariot worth Rs 1 crore to temple

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, March 12: N Muthappa Rai, the former underworld don turned social worker, and his family will devote a “brahmaratha” worth Rs 1 crore to Mahathobar Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple of Puttur on March 22. 

A series of religious ceremonies have been organized in connection with this large dedication; and food will be provided to devotees from March 17 - 22. 

Shashidhar Shetty, the district secretary of Jaya Karnataka, an organization founded by Muthappa Rai, told reporters that the samithi will receive “hasiruvani horekanike” from the devotees on March 17. The people of the locality have long dreamed of devoting a brahmaratha to the temple, said Mr. Shetty, adding that Muthappa Rai has finally realized that dream. 

The brahmaratha has been made of wood of trees more than two to two-and-a-half centuries old. A team of 15 - 20 artists have worked hard since May 10, 2008 to construct this chariot. The work has been supervised by Jagadish Shetty Nellikatte, and Karunakar Rai, the brother of Muthappa Rai. The chariot is 71ft in height, 20ft in width, and weighs 35 tonnes. 

The tarred road in front of the temple will not be able to hold the chariot, pointed out Mr. Shetty, and said that the “Ratha Beedhi” in front of the temple will be relaid at a cost of Rs 35 - 40 lakh. On March 22, a prasada lunch will be served to more than 1 lakh people, following the formal dedication of the chariot to the temple. He urged devotees to donate generously to make the programme a grand success.