The Rajagopura of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangapatna was adorned with new five gold-plated ‘Kalashas’ yesterday, after a four-year delay. The re-installation ceremony was conducted amidst traditional chanting of hymns accompanied by musical instruments.

The ‘Kalashas’ were reinstalled between the auspicious hours of 9.52 am and 10.32 am and the ceremonies were led by Abhinava Vageesha Brahmatantra Swatantra Swamiji of Parakala Mutt, who performed the Kumbhabhishekam.

The temple was built during the reign of the Ganga dynasty in the 9th century. A 30-kg ‘Kalasha’ had fallen from the ‘Gopura’ in 2013. Subsequently, the remaining four Kalashas were also removed from the tower.

Members of the erstwhile royal family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Trishikha Devi Wadiyar, MLAs Ramesh Bandisiddegowda and N. Cheluvarayaswamy, astrologer Bhanu Prakash Sharma and others witnessed the ceremony.

On the occasion, special pujas were held for the presiding deity. Melukote Yatiraja Mutt’s Paramahamsa Yadugiri Yatiraja Jeeyar supervised the event.

Speaking after the ceremony, Yaduveer said that the long-pending ‘Kalasha’ installation ceremony was realised finally and said that the royal family prayed for the well-being of the people. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said that the ‘Kalashas’ have added to the beauty of the temple.

The Kalashas have been made with donations from philanthropists. Around 300 gms of gold has been used for the plating. The project was completed under the supervision of officials from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Mandya DC S. Ziyaullah, Additional DC B.R. Poornima, Assistant Commissioner R. Yashoda, philanthropist Kunal, Rajarajeshwari Group’s Shanmugham, Cheluvarayaswamy’s wife Dhanalakshmi and others were present.