Priests of Kodandarama temple in K'taka prefer Kannada over Sanskrit

Kannada is the language used in Shri Kodandaramaswamy Temple in Hiramangalur. Here the prayer and rituals are performed in Kannada, despite Sanskrit being the go-to language for prayers.

Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka): Along with usage and development of Kannada Language, preaching is also done in Kannada at the Shri Kodandaramaswamy Temple in Hiramangalur. The daily worship at the temple takes place in Kannada here.

Chikkamagaluru has made its own name in the field of art, literature and culture. The Kodandarama Swamy Temple is situated 5km distance from the city. Here the worship is carried out in Kannada. It is common to chant mantras in Sanskrit in temples. However, the priest of the temple, Hiremagalur Kannan, chants mantras in Kannada.

Even mantras during 'homa and havan' are also chanted in Kannada. Weddings are also performed in Kannada here. Quotes written on the walls inside the temple are in Kannada. Devotional lines are written on the walls of the temple in Kannada.

Kannan's father, who arrived in Hiremagaluru in Chikkamagaluru four decades ago, began to worship Kodandarama in Kannada. It was his intention to save the language as it was losing its prominence. Later Kannan followed his father's path. Kannan teaches Sanskrit to foreign students who approach him but worships Kodandarama only in Kannada. He serves to create awareness among youngsters and people regarding Kannada usage and development. Today, on the occasion of Kannada Rajyothsava, Kannan prayed to free the world from the COVID-19 Pandemic.