Old chariot burnt in 2017 yet to be replaced

Chamarajanagar: Sri Chamarajeshwara Rathotsava, which was scheduled to be held here today, is cancelled for the third consecutive year.

The reason sounds ridiculous — A new chariot has not been assembled yet to replace the old chariot allegedly burnt partially on Feb.19, 2017. The chariot was over 180-year-old and was in a bad condition. The public had made repeated requests to officers concerned and elected representatives to get a new chariot done but to no avail. The Priests of the Temple were against the use of the partially burnt chariot as it would be inauspicious. 

In 2017 itself, the then Government had sanctioned Rs.1.20 crore to the District Administration to get a new chariot done which had in turn given the grant to the Public Works Department (PWD) to get the work done.

Following which the PWD Department had invited tender for the same and for various reasons, the tender process to make a new chariot was cancelled.

This year, the tender has been made in favour of one Prasad Badiger and the District Minister had even performed a puja to start the construction of the new chariot. It is expected to take a year or two to complete the work.

Chamarajeshwara Rathotsava is very popular among newly weds. Holding the auspicious event in Ashada Masa is a speciality and the newly weds offer prayers. A lot of devotees come from the neighbouring Tamil Nadu too.

Prasad Badiger, who had constructed the Suttur Mutt Chariot, has been entrusted the contract to make a new chariot this year. The needed wood has been purchased in Dandeli and the construction work has begun, says Manjesh, Temple Executive Officer,  Chamarajeshwara Temple.

The history… 

Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar got the Chamarajeshwara Temple built in 1826 in memory of his father Chamaraja Wadiyar. The town earlier called Arikutara was renamed as Chamarajanagar.

The first chariot of the Temple was provided by Arepura Basavaraje Urs in 1838 who was working with the Mysore Maharajas. So the old chariot, which was being used during the Rathotsava every year without fail till the fire mishap in 2017, was 181-year-old to be precise.

By S. Siddalingaswamy