Karnataka Muzrai Department’s head office, Dharmika Soudha, to come up with Hoysala architectural style in Bengaluru

The site is situated behind the Ramanjaneya Swamy Temple opposite MS Building in Bengaluru

Since Independence, the Muzrai Department, which oversees 34,564 temples across Karnataka, has been operating out of rented premises. However, it is now set to have its own dedicated head office named ‘Dharmika Soudha’, to be built in Bengaluru at a cost of ₹10 crore, featuring the iconic Hoysala architectural style.

The multistorey complex will serve as a one-stop solution for all Muzrai Department-related activities and will be located on 26 guntas of land owned by the department. The site is situated behind the Ramanjaneya Swamy Temple opposite the MS Building in Bengaluru. Out of the total area, 6 guntas are occupied by the temple, while the remaining 20 guntas will be utilised for the construction of Dharmika Soudha.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Reddy said, “The current office of the Religious Endowments Department is located opposite Minto Hospital, where we pay a monthly rent of approximately ₹11 lakh. Since its inception after Independence, the department has not had its own building despite owning hundreds of acres of temple land in Bengaluru and across Karnataka. This prompted the decision to construct Dharmika Soudha. Construction will begin within a month, and the Public Works Department will oversee the project.”

Features of the Soudha 

Dharmika Soudha will be a four-storey building and include features such as dedicated parking facilities, a court hall, the office of the Commissioner, Survey Department, HQ and QA offices, IT and Engineering sections, a meeting hall, an open office hall, a digital library, a records room, and an auditorium.

In addition to constructing the Dharmika Soudha, the department will also upgrade the nearby Ramanjaneya Swamy Temple. Plans include the construction of two double-bedroom houses for the temple’s priests, as well as renovating the yaga shala and kitchen in front of the temple. These temple-related expenses will be covered by the Muzrai Department.

The decision to construct the building was recently finalised during a Religious Endowments Council meeting chaired by Mr. Reddy, with the project blueprints already prepared.

The Muzrai Department has reported increased revenue and footfall in the past year. In FY 2023-24, the department saw a 5% rise in revenue, collecting ₹744.29 crore as against ₹708.86 crore in FY 2022-23. Additionally, 1,93,62,851 devotees visited the temples in 2023, marking a 3.7% increase in footfall.

Published - November 29, 2024 09:46 pm IST