Manipal, 24 th January 2023: In the year 1972, Dr. T M A Pai was thinking to introduce some cultural activities in Manipal and also a place to worship, which will be suitable to all religions.
This was the need of the hour, because, in those days, to go to Udupi, the nearest city, it was difficult to cross the Kundal Forest in the evening due to presence of wild animals. At the same time Mr. Venugopal Rao, in Mangalore wanted to handover the idol of Sri Venugopalakrishna,
which he was worshiping in his house to the senior Swamaji of Pejawar Mutt, Sri Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamaji.
When Dr. Pai discussed his idea with Swamaji, he recommended him
to build a temple for Sri Venugopalakrishna. The people in Manipal were filled with joy, when they got the news of Sri Venugopalakrishna Temple being constructed in Manipal. The next step was to select a suitable place.
Dr. Pai selected a place in the MIT campus, where there used to be some water in a small pond. He felt this is the most Holi place for installing the idol and accordingly the temple was constructed.
Since the temple was in the educational campus, Dr. Pai felt it should be a place of worship for all the students studying in the campus promoting the culture of Unity in Diversity, for which our country is known for. Hence the temple had an Arch, representing a Church, a Dom,
representing a Mosque and Sri Venugopalakrishna inside the temple. The place which had a pond then became the beautiful Brindavan Garden.
The idol of Sri Venugopalakrishna was installed by His Holyness Sri Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamaji of Pejawara Mutt and the temple was
inaugurated by Puttaparthi Shirdi Sai Baba, in 1973.
This year being the golden jubilee year of the temple, it has been decided to celebrate Brahmakalashotsava of the temple on 24 th of February 2023. The temple now has its own open well donated by Sri Srikanth Bhat. As a part of the religious rituals, Koopa Shanthi Homa was
performed on 21 st January 2023. On 22 nd January 2023, under the guidance of Purohith, Sri Srikanth Upadhya, the shifting the idol to Balalaya (Bimba Sankocha) was performed, amidst chanting of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama.
As a part of celebrations, month long cultural activity – Kala Sangam was launched by lighting the lamp. Sri T Ashok Pai, President Dr. T M Pai foundation, Sri Sachin Pai, MD, Best Seller, Manipal, Dr. M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Dr. Giridhar Kini, Registrar, and other officials from MIT were the dignitaries on the stage.
Followed by this Bhajan artist Sri Gurudas Shenoy and Smt. Maya Kamath offered rendered Bhajan on this occasion. Major donors, Sri Srikanth Bhat, Cafeteria, MIT, Manipal, Dr. Venkateswaran, Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, MIT Manipal and Sri Harishchandra Kamath, Juice Centre, MIT, Manipal were also part of the launch.
About 80 cultural programs (Bhajan, Folk Dance, Satsang, Drama, Fusion Music, Yakshagana, and Instrumental Music) will be performed in the temple premises from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, till 25 February, 2023. Faculty, Staff, Students, Campus Children, Local and National Level artists will take part in these programmes.
By 
ForthFocus™