Mangaluru : The ‘padukanyasa’ and ‘nidhikumbha’ programme of Sri Rajeshwari Temple, Polali in connection with renovation of centuries-old temple will be held on Monday. Located at Polali in Kariyangala village of Bantwal taluk, the temple that finds a reference in Markandeya Purana is estimated to be at least 1,700-years old and devotees of the temple who have taken up the task of renovating this temple, hope to cap it up with brahmakalashotsava in 2018.

Ulipadiguttu Tharanath Alva, hereditary trustee of the temple said nidhikumbha is an age-old tradition where devotees offer gold and silver and these precious metals are kept in a pot and buried in the temple’s inner sanctorum for future use. Temple has made arrangements for devotees to contribute to the ‘nidhi’ by paying Rs 250/Rs 500/Rs 1000 for silver and Rs 700/Rs 1000 towards gold and precious metals equivalent to amount collected will be purchased.

While the renovation work per se on the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Durga Parameshwari was taken up three months ago, the foundation stone for the renovation of Sri Raja Rajeshwari, presiding deity was laid on August 29, Tharanath said. “Entire renovation work could run up to an estimated Rs 20 crore,” he said adding the original estimated cost was Rs 14 crore, which has since been revised to Rs 18 crore and at present rates could easily cross Rs 20 crore mark.

While devotees are contributing both in cash and kind towards the renovation, muzrai department that manages the temple too has assured to provide funds, he said. Temple management on its part has recently revised rates of various sevas that devotees offer with portion of enhanced rates being earmarked for renovation, he said. “The temple management committee is hopeful of organizing the brahmakalashotsava post completion of renovation next year,” Alva added.