As the Venkateswara temple was coming up in the precincts of Datta Peetham, Pujya Swamiji desired that permission from Lord Dattatreya should be formally taken before the inaugural rituals commence.

Pujya Swamiji arrived in Datta temple at 5 PM and performed Arati to Datta idol and spent ten minutes in private in the sanctum.

Emerging out, Sri Swamiji tied a head band and gave the Dharma Danda (Dharma Staff) to Sri Ayyappan of Singapore and announced that he would be the 'Dharma Darshi' of the temple rituals for the next ten days. Then the procession commenced from Datta Temple as hundreds of priests lined the procession route chanting hymns and prayers from Vedas.

The procession comprised of two Pallakkis (Palanquins), one holding the Utsava Murthy (Procession idol) of Dattatreya and the other containing the small stone idol of Venkateswara which was found in the sea of Machalipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Pujya Swamiji gracefully walked behind the two Pallakkis. The procession proceeded on the main road of the Ashrama and turned left to enter the Garuda Mantapa. Garuda Mantapa is a temporary shed which can seat 5000 people. It also houses the Yaga Shala and the stage for other activities.

The procession commenced from Datta Temple taking permission from
Lord Dattatreya to establish the new Venkateswara temple in Datta Peetham

The Procession comprised of two palanquins, one carrying the Utsava Vigraham of Dattatreya
(the procession idol) and the other carrying the small stone idol of Lord Venkateswara
which was found in the sea of Machalipatnam, Andhra Pradesh state

His Holiness Vageesha Brahma Tantra Swatantra Parakala Swamiji of Parakala Math, Mysore
lights the inaugural lamp signifying the entry into the Yaga Shala
(rituals performing area) for commencement of the inaugural rituals.

Parakaala Swamiji offers a Shawl to Pujya Swamiji

After Sri Swamiji was seated on the main stage, various workers associated with the temple building were honoured. Later His Holiness Vageesha Brahma Tantra Swatantra Parakala Swamiji of Parakala Math, Mysore arrived and joined Pujya Swamiji on the stage. He lit the inaugural lamp signifying the inauguration of temple opening rituals. Sri Swamiji lit the second lamp and they both entered the Yaga Shala. The rituals started with the worship of Vishwaksena (Ganapati). Different temples like Tirupati, Simhachalam, Dwaraka Tirumala etc., have deputed their priests for this grand function.

In his speech, Sri Parakala Swamiji praised the efforts of Pujya Swamiji to bring more Dharmic nature in man through establishment of temples.

Sri Vedantam Ananta Padmanabha Charya of Machalipatnam, a great Vaikhanasa Agama Pundit and an expert in the Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra (the Shastra science that deals with the building and worshipping in temples of Lord Vishnu) is the chief priest, who heads the team of scholars performing the rituals. He spoke on the occasion and explained in detail the concept of Venkateswara. He said 'Vem' - means sin and 'Kata' - means remover. So Venkata removes the sins.

Pujya Swamiji in the benedictory address Blessed the audience and said he would reveal more information on the background of the temple on the day of inauguration on 23rd June 99.

The Mayor of Mysore city Mr.Srikantaiah, his wife and the member of Legislative assembly (MLA) Mr.Ramdas attended the function.

The stage of the Garuda Mantapa where the dignitaries were seated

Both the Swamijis witness the Vishwaksena Puja in the Yaga Shala

Pujya Swamiji shows the small Venkateswara idol to Sri Vedantam Ananta Padmanabhacharyulu of Machilipatnam. He is an erudite scholar of Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra, the Shastra science that deals with the building and worshipping in temples of Lord Vishnu

Pujya Swamiji blesses MUTTUKANNAN - the great stone sculptor whose
dedicated team of over 100 artisans built the stone temple

Before entering the Yaga Shala, Pujya Swamiji Blessed and honoured various construction workers of the temple. Here we see Sri H.V.Krishna Murthy, the Site engineer who over saw the construction activities

John Babu - the energetic sculpting designer who built and decorated the temple towers

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