History
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Kenchayyana Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple
The following information was carefully compiled and shared by Shri K. V Rao, President and Managing Trustee, Kenchayyana Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple, Kallianpura, in response to the query conveyed through Suresh Rao that "If this (Nagabana and Daivasthana) is our Narayana Shervegar Family Temple, then what about Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple on the Main Road ?”
Temple Background
Kenchayyana Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple, Kallianpur, is an ancient family temple with a history of over 1,200 years, established and worshipped by our ancestors since time immemorial.
The forefathers of Late Sri Narayana Shervegar, a well-known agriculturist from Kallianpur village in Udupi district, constructed a small temple on their land around 1,200 years ago, installing Lord Shri Mahalingeshwara as the family’s presiding Ishta Devatha. The temple is also known as “Kenchayyana Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple,” named after our ancestor Kenchayya. The temple’s land and affairs have been managed by members of the hereditary family for generations and continue to be so even today. Religious ceremonies such as Deepotsava, Maha Shivaratri Mahotsava with Ekahbhajana, Varshikotsava-cum-Utsava Moorthi procession along with Ranga Pooja, Shata Rudrabhisheka, etc., have been conducted in accordance with established tradition.
This spiritual and emotional devotion continues to this day. However, certain poojas were discontinued for a long period, possibly due to financial constraints. It is pertinent to note that evidence of the old Utsava Moorthi has already been traced; the same was damaged, remained unrepaired, and was kept in storage. The Rama Kshatriyas, though traditionally a warrior clan, depended on agriculture for their livelihood. Due to the limited number of families, temple management has historically been hereditary.
After Independence, several temples were brought under Government control. However, due to the efforts of our forefathers, the subject temple continued as a family-managed institution. Credit is due to Late Sri K. Raghunath Rao, Late Sri A. K. Rao, and Late Sri K. Sripad Rao. As per the Court Order dated 23-03-1987 (Notification No. LAW: CR No. 38:83-84), Late Sri K. Raghunath Rao was declared the Hereditary Managing Trustee. Records and the Hon’ble Court’s order clearly establish continuous hereditary trusteeship, with an unbroken lineage from 1891 to the present trustee, Sri K. Vishwanath Rao.
Hereditary Managing Trustees
- 1. Late Sri Narayana Shervegar – 1891–1932
2. Late Sri Laxmaiya Shervegar (Elder Son of No. 1) – 1932–1946
3. Late Sri Subbannaya (Second Son of No. 1) – 1946–1951
4. Late Sri Nagappaya (Third Son of No. 1) – 1951–1983
5. Late Sri Raghunath Rao (Grandson of No. 1 & Son of No. 3) – 1983–1998
6. Late Sri Pundalika Rao (Grandson of No. 1 & Son of Late Sri Shivaramayya) – 1998–1999
7. Late Sri K. Sripad Rao (Great-grandson of No. 1 & Grandson of No. 2) – 1999–2010
8. Late Sri K. Laxminarayan Rao (Great-grandson of No. 1 & Grandson of No. 2) – 2010–2019
9. Sri K. Vishwanath Rao (Great-grandson of No. 1 & Grandson of No. 2) – 2019–Present
The partition deed dated 28-12-1918 clearly earmarks property under Survey No. 19/4 for temple purposes, with income designated for its maintenance. However, the said property has not been in the possession of the temple for a considerable period.
Further, beneficiaries of partitioned properties were required to contribute towards temple maintenance, which practice has since been discontinued. Such provisions were necessitated due to limited income sources and indicate the private family nature of the temple.
Based on expert advice, the temple was reconstructed in 2003–04 due to its dilapidated condition. The reconstruction was undertaken entirely by the present Managing Trustee, Sri K. V. Rao, with support from family members and other devotees, without any financial assistance from the Endowment Department.
The first phase was completed in April 2004 and consecrated under the guidance of revered religious authorities, including Jagadguru Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamiji of Sringeri Sharada Peetham.
Post-reconstruction, the temple continues to be primarily visited by family members, along with devotees and dignitaries. Rituals are conducted in accordance with traditional Vedic norms. In view of the above, the temple is a private family place of worship, with the majority of devotees being hereditary family members who continue established traditions, including annual visits, irrespective of residence, including those abroad.
The temple holds significant religious and sentimental value as the family’s Ishta Devatha. Accordingly, the name “Kenchayyana” has been retained in continuity with tradition and family sentiment. Documentation is available primarily from 1983 onwards. Property records are limited to RTC entries reflecting the temple’s name, while other properties are not traceable.
Regarding Nagabana and Deyashtana (Panjurli)
1. The Nagabana and Deyashtana were originally situated on land belonging to Late Sri Narayana Shervegar and were allotted to Late Sri Sakharama Rao under partition. Management was carried out by Late Sri Nagappaya for over 25 years. The property was subsequently acquired by the present Managing Trustee, Sri K. V. Rao, and management has continued within the family.
2. During renovation, the present name was assigned to reflect that the Nagabana and Deyashtana belong to the hereditary family of Late Sri Narayana Shervegar, the original owner and custodian.
3. The naming was adopted for identification purposes, as several such shrines exist in and around Kote Kallianpur
We trust the above clarifies your query.
Suresh Rao: Thank you very much for the background info on the Temple and the names of the Hereditary Managing Trustees over the last several years!
On reviewing the info, I would appreciate your clarification on the following:
- It is good news that the Utsava Moorti has been found. Where is it currently stored, & are there plans to repair it, & use it in the future for temple processions?
- Why was a Court Order issued in 1987 appointing Late Sri Raghunath Rao as the Managing Trustee, ie, was there a dispute in ownership of the Temple to prevent a Govt takeover?
- Survey 19/4 represents all of the Temple property. Does the Temple have complete physical possession of all the land per Survey 19/4?
- Approx. how much was spent exclusively on renovating the Temple in 2004?
- What is the basis for the selection/appointment of Hereditary Managing Trustee as per Hindu Law (Indian Trusts Act, 1882, or guided by Hindu personal law, family tradition, custom)? In our Temple, how is the Hereditary Managing Trustee selected/appointed?
- You did mention that our ancestor was Kenchayya. Can you please provide some background information on our ancestor?
- Thank you for providing the info on Nagabana and Deyashtana.
- I congratulate you on providing all this info about the Temple, and suggest that this info is posted on the Temple website.
Response to the Above queries by K. V Rao
The old Utsava Murthy cannot be repaired, as certain parts of it are no longer traceable. Moreover, it was made of brass, which has now completely corroded due to rust. Hence, the same has been preserved in the storeroom.As informed earlier, we have now made an entirely new set in silver, which looks very beautiful. More than 3 kilograms of silver were used for the same. At that point in time, the approximate cost was around ₹2.5 lakhs, with an additional making charge of approximately ₹75,000. In today’s market, the total value, including making charges, may be around ₹9,00,000.
When the Government took over the temple administration, Late Sri Raghunath Rao was serving as the Managing Trustee. During that period, he, along with Late Sri Sripad Rao, took the initiative to meet the concerned authorities in Bangalore and explained that our temple was not a public temple, but one that had been managed by hereditary family members based on seniority for many generations. Your father also extended valuable support by helping them meet the Endowment Commissioner and other concerned officials during that time.
Based on the advice of the concerned authorities in Bangalore, Late Sri Raghunath Rao approached the local court in Mangalore. Accordingly, the court passed the necessary order recognizing that the temple was being managed by hereditary family members under the arrangement of hereditary managing trustees. It is important to note that there was absolutely no dispute either among the family members or with the Government authorities in this regard.
As per the provisions of the Endowment Act, the Managing Trustee has full authority to administer the temple. However, the appointment of trustees continues to remain under the control of the Endowment Department. The Department generally interferes only in cases involving misappropriation of funds or serious complaints from devotees. For reference, kindly refer to “The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 2001” (Karnataka Act No. 33 of 2001), which is available online.
The partition deed executed by Late Sri Narayan Sheregar pertained to his personal properties. In the said deed, he had clearly declared that the property bearing Survey No. 19/4 was earmarked for Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple. Unfortunately, many connected documents and earlier records were not available in the temple. As mentioned in my earlier communication, records and correspondence prior to the tenure of Late Sri Raghunath Rao were largely untraceable. Further, no official remark was recorded stating that such documents were not handed over by Late Sri Nagappaya and other trustees. Therefore, tracing these documents or approaching individuals after a lapse of nearly 60–65 years has become extremely difficult.
During the temple reconstruction undertaken around 2004, approximately ₹75–80 lakhs were spent. Thereafter, an additional ₹20–25 lakhs were spent to complete the pending works. Contributions from other hereditary family members were comparatively negligible. However, we do not wish to dwell on these matters now. In fact, during the reconstruction period, the senior members of the family had advised that the entire cost of the Garbhagudi should be borne exclusively by the hereditary family members.
Traditionally, the appointment of the Managing Trustee has always been based on seniority, as already mentioned in my previous letter with the list of Trustees which was prepared on the seniority basis.
As per the Endowment records, the official name of our temple is “Kenchayyana Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple.” Since many old records are unavailable, it has become difficult to establish the exact relationship concerning Late Sri Kenchayyana.
As suggested in your email, the information contained in my previous email may also be uploaded to our temple website. I have already informed Mr. Varun to take care of the same. Whatever has been stated in our letter is purely based on facts and available records.
I have also requested Varun to post photos of the Utsava Murthy procession from the temple to Kote (Late Sri Narayana Sheregar Nagabana). Our procession and participation by our Samaja Bandhavas have always been highly appreciated by outsiders, including officials and devotees from Venkatramana Temple, Ganapathi Temple, Garadi Temple, Kenchamma Temple, and the general public.