Gold covering for Mahakaleshwar temple spires

Ujjain, MP, Feb 5 (UNI) Gilding of 118 spires of the famous Mahakaleshwar shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country, with 16 kg gold is underway with a 30-member team of craftsmen from Kerala on the job.

Wafer thin layers of gold are being prepared under tight security at the temple premises. The delicate work is being carried out from February 1 under the supervision of Kerala's famous temple craftsman Nagarajan, who had earlier offered his services at several temples.

including the famous Ayyappa temple.

Mr Nagarajan said he was hopeful of completing the work in 30 days.

Sri Mahakaleshwar Mandir Prabandh Samiti President and District Collector Shivshekhar Shukla said an Executive Magistrate had been deployed to monitor the gold covering work. Besides security guards, eight close circuit TV sets have been installed for video recording of entire process.

''Gold has been purchased from State Bank of India,'' Samiti's Administrator Shubhkaran Sharma added.

UNI XC-KV SP 1642