Mysuru: The state government has taken up reconstruction work of century-old Kote Maramma Temple adjacent to the Mysore Palace, with Maharani Pramoda Devi offering ‘bhoomi puja’ on Friday three months after tragedy struck the temple. The temple construction is expected to be completed in two months.
On September 16, a giant Peepal tree , uprooted and fell on the temple totally destroying it, however to everyone’s surprise the idol of the goddess remained intact. In the tragedy, two women were killed and four injured.
The incident took place just a week ahead of Mysore Dasara raising anxiety among the public, who felt it was a bad omen. Ms. Pramoda Devi had to quell fears and offered special puja to the goddess two days after the accident.
Speaking to reporters after offering ‘bhoomi puja’ and abhisheka to the goddess, Ms. Pramoda Devi said: “The reconstruction was planned after Navaratri festivities and accordingly the work has begun today. I prayed for the well-being of all”. According to Palace secretary M. Lakshminarayan, Kote Maramma idol was initially inside the Palace and was relocated during the reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar (1894–1940).
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One dies, several injured as antique tree falls
