Udupi, (The Hindu): The renovation of the Sri Kanakadasa Mandira near the Sri Krishna Mutt/temple here will be taken up at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt said the Sri Kanakadasa Mandira was constructed by the late Malpe Madhwaraj in 1966, when he was the Udupi MLA, and an idol of the saint was installed there. The then Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa had inaugurated the mandira.

Poojas have been held daily to the idol of Sri Kanakadasa since then. During his fourth Paryaya (2000-02), the Kanaka Mantapa was constructed next to the Badagu Malige in the Sri Krishna Mutt/temple complex.

This mantapa was constructed with financial assistance from both the Union and State governments, he said.

The Bhakta Kanakadasa Mandira Jeernodhara Samiti, which holds the Sri Kankadasa Sadbhavana Yatre annually, had decided to renovate the mandira.

The samiti, of which he was the patron, will approach members of Parliament and legislators and seek their financial assistance in renovating the mandira. “We expect the Union and State governments and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to help in this project,” he said.

The “bhoomi pooja” ceremony for the renovation work will be held here on July 10, the seer said.

Om Sri Krishnamurthy, secretary of the samiti, who was present, said the samiti would be raising Rs. 25 lakh for the renovation work. Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swami of Kaniyur Mutt, one of the “Ashta” or eight mutts, had assured to give Rs. 5 lakh for the renovation. He recalled that the Kaniyur seer had offered a silver ‘kavacha’ worth Rs. 12 lakh to the idol of Sri Kanakadasa during his previous Paryaya period (2014-16).

The renovated shrine will come up at the same place it is now located on a 600 sq. ft area.

Instead of the present star shape, the renovated structure will be in a square shape. The shrine will be constructed by sculptors from Mahabalipuram, in Tamil Nadu.

The construction will be completed by November. “We plan to inaugurate the renovated shrine on Kanakadasa Jayanti on November 17,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.