Mysuru: In a significant step towards preserving Sanathana Dharma and reviving India’s ancient temple heritage, the All India Old Temple Renovation Trust (AIOTRT) launched its Mysuru Chapter yesterday.

The Trust, founded in 2022, aims to restore dilapidated Hindu temples across India and abroad, with a focus on safeguarding cultural and spiritual legacies for future generations.

Speaking at the Mysuru Chapter inauguration ceremony held at a private hotel on JLB Road, Trust Founder and National President Ravi Kumar Jain announced that ten temples across Mysuru and other districts in Karnataka have been identified for immediate restoration.

“The number of ancient temples in India has declined from 17.5 lakh in 1947 to just 7 lakh today. These temples are not only places of worship but also custodians of our civilisational values. Their preservation is essential for the protection of Sanathana Dharma,” he said.

The Karnataka State Chapter of the Trust was established six months ago and the Mysuru Chapter has now formally commenced operations. The Trust plans to mobilise local community support, engage with Government Departments and seek assistance from major Temple Boards and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to facilitate restoration efforts.

D. Rajesh Belankar, President of the Mysuru Chapter, said that Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has expressed support for the initiative. He has also recommended beginning restoration works at the historic Sri Lakshmikantha Temple at Bilikere, which is over 200 years old.

Most of these temples are not under the jurisdiction of any Government Department, highlighting the urgency for community-driven restoration.

Before the event, newly appointed office-bearers of the Mysuru Chapter took a pledge to uphold the mission of temple conservation.

The event was attended by Karnataka State President Prithviraj Jain, Mysuru Chapter Secretary Raju, Vice-President Anil Jain, Treasurer Chaitanya Kumar, Joint Treasurers Mariswamy Nayak and Marigowda and members Balaraj, Puttaraju, Jayaprakash, Keshav, Prakash, Devaraj, Manjunath and Kantharaj.

10 temples identified for renovation

• Sri Lakshmikantha Temple, Bilikere, Mysuru district
• Kere Thonnur Venkateshwara Temple, Melukote, Mandya
• Makkala Maramma Temple, Hanur Taluk, Chamarajanagar
• Bhujangeshwara Temple, Chamarajanagar
• Vaikunta Narayanaswamy Temple, Talakad, Mysuru district
• Virupaksha Temple, Mulbagal, Kolar district
• Shree Brahmalingeshwara Temple, Udupi
• Sri Panduranga Swamy Temple, Kabir Road, Lashkar Mohalla, Mysuru
• Kumarabeedu Jain Temple, Bogadi Road, Mysuru
• Sri Karaya Mahalingeshwara Temple, Karaya Village, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada