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Shrine at a Glance:
Mysore
one of the artistic cities of southern India not only famously known as the
“Garden City” and the “City of Places” for its antiquity, rare testimonials
of art and architecture and scenic cultural beauty but also has earned the
nickname “Ashtanga City” for the proliferations of pleasing yogic seers who
reside here is situated around 770 meters above sea level radiates pleasant
and accelerating climate in summer as well as in winter.
Among
the most noteworthy architectural glories of Mysore the Palace of the
Maharaja is the treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from
all over the world. It is built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets,
arches and colonnades. The intricately carved doors that open on to
luxuriously furnished rooms; the ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars of
the majestic Durbar Hall; the magnificent jewel studded golden throne of the
Wodeyars and the Illuminated Palace edifice on Sundays and public holidays
not only presents a spectacle of breathtaking beauty to all the vacationers
but also streams constant travelers of all kind and culture all-round the
year from different parts of India and abroad adding to the colorful
pageantry of its processions and popular festivals especially the Dasara;
which indispensably exhibits one of the basic fundamental tenets of
Indian culture i.e.
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥.
(May all become happy, May none fall ill, May all see auspiciousness
everywhere, May none ever feel sorrow, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih.
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About
five kilometers from this magnificent work of art is the new shrine
dedicated to the Infant Jesus at Pushpashrama. The architecture of some
facets of the new Shrine have taken inspiration from the Maharaja's Palace
and the visitor to the new Shrine may be struck by the similarities. The
road leading from Bangalore to Mysore meets the ring road that will take you
to Naidu Nagar near the tollgate. From the Naidu Nagar bus stand a brief
walk of five minutes brings you to the imposing gateway opening to the
Shrine.
The
Gateway:
Anyone
who has visited the Maharaja's palace or even seen a photo of it will
immediately notice the resemblance of this gateway to that of the Maharaja's
Palace. The gateway stands 30 feet high and has a width of 20 feet. It is
flanked by two small side gates. Through the main gate of the Palace the
VIP's found their way to the erstwhile Maharaja who would welcome them in
his own dignified fashion. Here, everyone is a VIP desiring an interview
with the King of Kings and craving His blessings. “The more you honour
Me, the more will I bless you.”
The
Grotto:
To the
right of the main gate is the grotto. Its architectural style recalls to
mind the monument raised to one of the best known Maharajas of Mysore,
Krishnaraja Wodeyar at the circle that bears his name: K. R. Circle. Here at
the Shrine a life-sized statue of Infant Jesus is waiting to welcome you and
prepare your mind and heart to receive His blessing more abundantly when you
enter the shrine itself to worship Him along with the assembly of the
faithful during the sacred liturgy.
The Church:
The
church itself patterned on an octagonal diamond built on granite stones the
eight sides referring to eight directions of the world. People from all
corners of space are invited to enter through the three ornate porticos. The
three huge teakwood doors have artistically carved into them sacred figures.
Into the main door is insculpted a depiction of the Holy Family. The door on
the right side presents carvings of the reformers of Carmel, St. Teresa and
St. John of the Cross. The left side entrance has carvings representing St.
Therese and St. Edith Stein.
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Three layers of stonework rise on top of the Shrine area.
The three layers signify earth, air and heaven respectively.
Apart from the main dome covering these three layers there
are four other domes that take the tourists through flights
of fancy back to the Moghul period when the Carmelites first
set their feet on Indian soil. These domes clad with white
Ital tiles on top which is the traditional symbol Kalasa of
an Indian crown. The main dome on the other hand is crowned
by a ten feet high stainless chromium coated Cross. On
entering the main portico the dime glass immediately
captures the eye. Four hands are depicted there in four
different colours clasping one another's arms. They
symbolize the universality of human brotherhood transcending
differences between cultures, classes and creeds. As you go
step by step towards the sanctuary you find yourself walking
on Indo-Italian Marble slabs. Under the solemn vault which
is supported by eight massive pillars decorated with Indian
Capitals. Looking up above the sanctuary you can behold a
fresco replica of the Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece, the
Last Supper. The stained glass on the upper fringes of the
life-size painting contains the representation of the Holy
Spirit. We have now reached the entrance to the sanctuary.
What meets our eyes immediately is the altar under which the
globe representing the whole world is standing. The altar
itself seems to stand not only on its four pillars but also
on this globe. The message of the alter design is that the
Infant.
Jesus
has become the proprietor of the whole world and its ruler having purchased
it for Himself after His last supper through the sacrifice of the cross. The
sacrifice itself as consummated on the first Good Friday constitutes the
background of the Altar. The tree of which the crucifix forms a part,
recalls first the tree of knowledge that deceived the first parents Adam and
Eve and then the tree of the cross through which new life came for the
salvation of the world. The backdrop of the tree of life has for its
material, the Bamboo finishing of the Eurocon tiles. The lowest of the three
layers is circumscribed by fourteen windows with grills depicting fourteen
Old Testament themes. Each window is topped by one of the fourteen stations
of the Way of the Cross in stained glass. There are thirteen diamond-shaped
windows in the second layer containing hand depictions of Biblical scenes
including the luminous mysteries of the rosary introduced by Pope John Paul
II.
The
top-most layer is decorated with symbols of the world's major religious
beliefs particularly followed in Mysore. These symbols arouse in the hearts
of those who pray here a sense of brotherhood and solidarity in Christ with
all who seek truth and salvation. The terrain and view around the Shrine
imparts to the visitor a feeling of serenity and peace. The greenery in
nature awakens in the heart of the contemplative hopes and expectations for
a more prosperous and grace filled tomorrow.
Architects, Engineers, Designers and Contractors:
The
original vision of this magnificent monument comes from Mr. Balan of happy
memory. This vision was concretized by Alphonse and Aditya of Alphonse
Associates. The contract for the execution was undertaken by J. J.
Construction under the able direction of Mr. John Kunnel. Others who
enhanced the ornate interior aesthetic of the Shrine: Mr. Cyril Antony
Moyalan (Moyalan Stained Glass) for Stained Glass and Tree of life Woodwork;
Mr. Karpu Swamy, Teakwood Door carvings and Carpentry; Akaar Granites for
the Altar; Bhavana Granites for Marbles and Granite Works; Hinkal Tiles for
Tile Works; Shades Interiors for Cornice and Capitals; Italia Glass Mosaics;
Simon and Co. for Statues; H. N. K. Gowda and Sons for Brass Works and the
Cross; Sharada Engineering Works for Window Grill Designs; J. P. Lightings
for Light Arrangements; DXX Acoustics for Sound System; Nandi Marketing for
Floor pavements.
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