Diamond armour for Udupi deity - Article in Deccanherald

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Diamond armour for Udupi deity

 

DH News Service UDUPI, March 8

 

The temple town of Udupi is all set to dedicate the Rs

3-crore “Vajra Kavacha” (diamond armour) to the

presiding deity Lord Krishna at 10.45 am on March 10.

More than one lakh devotees from all over the country

and abroad are expected to witness the spectacle. Over

20 Madhwa peetadhipathis will congregate here.

 

Sri Vidyadeesha Theertha Swamiji of the Paryaya

Palimaru Math will dedicate the Vajra Kavacha to the

deity to fulfill the desire of the late Sri Vidhamanya

Theertha Swamiji of Palimaru Math, who had dedicated a

golden cradle, golden chariot and a diamond crown to

Lord Krishna.

 

The late swamiji had the ambition of dedicating the

armour to the Lord.

It is believed that the proponent of Dwaitha

philosophy, Sri Madhwacharya, installed the idol of

Lord Krishna 800 years ago.

 

As many as 14 craftsmen from Hyderabad worked for 10

days to complete the assignment. Utmost care was taken

in setting the diamonds to ensure colour, clarity and

cut at the best.

 

According to the Paryaya Palimaru Swamiji, 6,817

diamonds, 4,994 rubies, 2,309 emeralds,108 blue

sapphires (a total of 14,228 pieces of precious

stones) have been embedded in the 8-kg golden armour

costing Rs 80 lakh.

 

According to chief craftsman Goverdhanachari, who has

experience working in temples such as Salsar in

Rajasthan, Ahobala in Andhra Pradesh, Cheluvarayaswami

of Melkote in Karnataka, the diamond armour is the

first of its kind. “Usually a small Vajra Kavacha is

dedicated to the Utsavamurthy,” he said.

 

Sri Vidhyadeesha Theertha Swamiji said that the Vajra

Kavacha was made for general well-being (“Loka

kalyana”) of people. Devotees who visit the temple are

sure to be attracted by the armour.

 

He said welfare schemes taken up by the Paryaya

Palimaru Math such as “Chinnara Santharpane” (mid-day

meal programme), “Chinnara Shushrushe” (health project

for school children) and “self employment programme,”

have been received well.

 

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and Dasa

Sahitya Project in association with Sri Raghavendra

Seva Samithi will perform its annual “Sapthaha” on the

occasion.

 

Sri Raghavendra Swamiji’s birthday coincides with the

Vajra Samarpana day.

 

 

 

 

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