Rs. 20 crore heritage mountain project to be completed by September 2022

By Mohan Kayaka

Over 60 to 65 percent works have been completed to build a 108-ft statue of Male Mahadeshwara Swamy atop Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills).

 The 27-ft pedestal on which the statue of Madappa on top of a tiger has been constructed and now works are on to build the tiger and the statue that will stand 81 ft tall. The concrete and iron statue is being designed as ‘Mahadeshwara Swamy sitting on a tiger, holding his Trishula.’

 The height from the base of the pedestal till the top will be 108 ft and the total estimate of the project is Rs. 20 crore. Sri Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Development Authority (MMDA) is installing the statue as a tourist attraction at the hilltop.

 The project was conceived in 2016 and the actual statue stands on 2-acre land at Deepadagiri Oddu, about 500 metres from the Temple complex. PSAP Architects is executing the project and the actual work began on 16.3.2020 and the project will be completed by 15.9.2022, said Executive Engineer and Technical Advisor to the Project H. Kumar told Star of Mysore.

MMDA Secretary Jayavibhavaswamy is personally looking into the progress of the project, he added.

The MMDA has proposed to develop the area on the lines of a heritage mountain. The statue stands in a complex of 20 acres and additional land will be required to include more attractions.

The base of the statue will host a museum that will depict the historical place and its presiding deity Male Mahadeshwara. In the museum, stories related to Male Mahadeshwara Swamy will be narrated. Numerous idols that explain the story of the Lord will find a place in the museum.

Construction of a spacious and verdant garden and a musical fountain are also being planned near the statue. Other highlights will include a folk village called ‘Janapada Loka’ that will provide a platform for folk artistes to display their talent during festivals and other occasions, an amphitheatre and a prayer hall.

Basic facilities will be developed at Nagamale and steps will be taken to recruit staff to improve the facilities on the Hill. An action plan has been prepared to develop the Hill in phases besides building toilets, providing drinking water and parking facilities to devotees. CCTV cameras with a wide range will be installed in the complex.