US: Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar visits Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt in New Jersey

New Jersey [US], September 12 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday visited Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt in New Jersey, which is coming up in a sprawling 20-acre campus in Franklin Township.

Shivakumar appealed, through a video message, to all the Kannadigas and devotees of Adi Chunchanagiri mutt to contribute to the construction of Bairavanatha Peeta in New Jersey.

“The Guru Peeta set up Balagangadharanatha Swamiji in New Jersey is the Guru Peeta for all of us. Mutts are a sacred place which makes our minds calm and composed. I had visited the Bairavanatha temple set up by Balagangadharanatha Swamiji in Maharashtra. I am happy that the Government of USA has allowed setting up a similar temple here in New Jersey,” he said.

“Birth and death are given, what we do in between is what matters. A lot of people have crossed the oceans to come to this land. They have all contributed to this Mutt in New Jersey to leave behind a legacy. I made a contribution too,” he noted.

“The dream of setting up a Mutt is being realised under Nirmalananda Swamiji. He had invited me for the foundation-laying ceremony, but I could not make it as the government was in distress. I am glad to see the Mutt coming up beautifully. Everyone has to contribute to complete it,” he said.

Chief Architect of the project, Dr Babu Kilara, who has built Chinmaya Mission, Art of Living centre, GSS Ashrama in the USA, briefed the DCM about the project. The Mutt will go a long way in introducing Karnataka’s spiritual traditions to the world. This project was conceived under the guidance of Balagangadharanatha Swamiji and is being realised under the leadership of Niramalananda Swamiji.

The Mutt is being built as per the ‘Agama Shastra’ which is a rule book for South Indian temple architecture. Sri Srishailanatha Swamiji and Dayashankar Adappa of New Jersey Adi Chunchanagiri mutt were also present during the visit of the Shivakunar.