BENGALURU: In a major facelift to Bengaluru’s richest temple—Banashankari Temple, Minister for Religious Endowments (Muzrai) Shashikala Jolle on Monday ordered officials to submit a detailed master plan for overall development of the temple in southern Bengaluru.
A Rs 48-crore master plan will comprise a sprawling parking facility, well-equipped auditorium, upgraded dining hall for the devotees, commercial complex and a toilet facility for devotees are some of the plans that are currently being considered by the officials.
Planning overall development of the temple which generates an annual turnover of about Rs 4 crore, Muzrai minister held a detailed discussion with Revenue minister and jurisdiction Padmanabhanagar MLA R Ashoka and directed the officials to incorporate suggestions in the masterplan. Subsequently, the minister accompanied by Commissioner, Muzrai department Rohini Sindhuri held an inspection of the temple located on 4.20 acres of area in Banashankari.
“We have already included the Banashankari temple in the first list of ‘A’ grade temples which will be taken up for development under the Daiva Sankalpa programme. The temple has a collection of Rs 48 crores, and the same amount will be utilised for the development of the temple,” Jolle explained soon after her visit to the temple. The minister also said that the department will rebuild the century old Varaprasad Anjaneya temple located on the same premises. “The Anjaneya temple was built in 1915 and presently in dilapidated condition. For the time being, a temporary idol will be set up at the rear end of the existing temple and I have directed the officials to finalise the plan by increasing the built-up area to accommodate more devotees,” the minister said.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by the devotees at the dining facility, Jolle explained, “Presently, the officials set up temporary pandals to serve food to a large number of devotees. But food distribution is affected whenever it rains. Hence, we will be building a permanent roof and food distribution counters along with seating facilities. Also, the kitchen of the temple is located on the ground floor and food is served to the devotees on the first floor. A donor has come forward to fund the elevator facility and we are awaiting approvals from the departments concerned to take up the work.”
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