A temple for Yamaraj in Mandya district

MYSURU: A civil contractor is building a temple for Yamaraj, who’s considered the lord of death and justice, at a village near Krishnaraja Sagar dam in Mandya district.
The country has, at best, a handful of temples devoted to Yama, and the one coming up in Mandya district could be a first for Karnataka.
The temple, once its structure is ready, will consecrate the five-foot idol of Yamaraj who’s depicted with a bushy handlebar moustache and a mace in the left hand and a lasso in the right.He’s seen astride a buffalo, in line with mythology. The idol will be placed inside a 12x12ft sanctum sanctorum in the temple, which is near the KRS railway station and about 145km from Bengaluru.
‘Built Yama temple as there aren’t any in state’
KN Raju, 49, who’s done a course in ITI (industrial training institute), told TOI: “As there are no temples for Yamaraj in Karnataka that I am aware of, I decided to build one at a cost of Rs 4 lakh. I don’t have to seek permission from any authority since I am building these temples on my land. My will says the ownership of these temples shall be handed over to the Karnataka endowment department upon my death.”
It’s one more in a series of temples Raju has built for Sai Baba, Shani and Nagadevata. “The next is for Lord Brahma,” said Raju, from Hosaundavadi village under Ulikere grama panchayat. His wife Rajeshwari, 45, and two sons opposed the Yama project. The temple cluster on Raju’s land is a big draw among people from neighbouring villages.