MANTRALAYAM: The 338-year-old holy shrine devoted to Saint Raghavendra Swamy at Mantralayam is unable to come to terms with the devastation caused by unprecedented flood at the dead of the night on October 1.
The news that the holy “Brindavan” of Saint Raghavendra Swamy and his great grand son Vadindra Teertha in the sanctum sanctorum are intact provided some solace to devotees. A massive operation is required to remove the slush deposited on the temple floor before it is open to devotees. The priests resumed rituals at the main temple to keep the tradition going. The loss to the shrine was put at Rs. 10 crore.
The priestspresented a desolate look with mud smeared all over their body and clothes. The temple authorities were concerned over the personal safety of Mutt Head Suyateendra Teertha who refused to leave the place even after the flood surrounded the temple around 9 p.m. He was airlifted to Raichur only after the Karnataka government dispatched two helicopters the next day afternoon. The authorities of Vedic school had nightmarish experience in saving the lives of the young students. The youngest of the group was a six years old.
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