Orissa Association Mysore, OAM in short, was established in early 1993 by a few Oriya families living in the Garden city. Gradually as years passed, the number of Oriyas increased. It was felt necessary to register the association. Accordingly in the year 1998, Orissa Association Mysore was registered under Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960. OAM's own by-laws and Memorandum of Association were formed. OAM is a non-profit, non-commercial and socio-cultural organization. At present we have 25 life members and 125 yearly members. Click for list of life members.

As the primary objective of the association is to preserve and propagate Oriya culture, we organize all important Oriya festivals like Ganesh Puja, Saraswati Puja, Kumar Purnima, Sabitri Brata, Pana Sankranti, Raja, Nua Khia etc in the manner they are performed in Orissa. To create a feeling of homeliness and reduce the fear of forgetting our own traditions, culture and social traits, we arrange frequent social get-togethers of Oriya families. We organize bi-yearly picnics where the members not only get occasions to meet each other and change pleasantries, but also have the pleasure of getting typical Oriya cuisines.

Our association has initiated appropriate steps to acquaint the citizens of Mysore about Orissa's rich history, traditions, art, culture and literature by various socio-cultural activities. Like Orissa, Karnakata has also a long and prosperous history, with very rich art, culture and traditional heritage. Our association creates opportunities for its members to acquaint themselves with these traits by organizing exchange programs. Our association endeavours to protect and strengthen the age old historical connections between Orissa and Karnataka. As a part of our objectives, we have initiated actions to develop a spiritual and socio-cultural centre in and around Mysore.

One afternoon of August 2003, while we were immersing the Ganesh idol in the holy river Kaveri, a dilapidated Srinivasa / Vishnu temple covered by bushes and wild plants attracted our sight. Instant decision was made to initiate actions for restoration and renovation of the temple and worship of the presiding deities, which have been discontinued for many years. The temple and the land around it belong to the state of Karnakata. After a year of run around and persuasive efforts, permission was obtained by OAM to restore the temple and perform rituals of the deities, Lord Venkateswara and Bhoga Narasimha with his wives Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. The performance of daily rituals commenced from 14th April 2005 - the day of Maha Bisuba Sankranti and Oriya New Year day.

With the reverberations of vedic chants and echo of mantras, the restoration work of the ancient 11th century temple on the banks of river Kaveri took off with a touch of tradition in the auspicious morning of 23rd November 2005. The dilapidated 11th century Vishnu temple will be restored to its original style at a cost of Rs. 30 lakhs with the initiative of OAM. Located in the sylvan settings amidst lush green field near Belagola, in Srirangapatna Taluk of Mandya Dist. Karnataka and 15 Km from Mysore city on way to Brindavan garden, the temple is in a dilapidated state. The black granite idols of the presiding deities Srinivasa and Narasimha with Bhu and Sri Devis are in an impeccable condition and appear majestic and beautiful. Already OAM has started the restoration of this aesthetic beauty and glory of the past.
Click here for photos

During November 2006 we had a meeting with the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Sri Dibyasingh Dev for his advice and help to install Sri Jagannath in the renovated temple. He advised for building a new temple for Sri Jagannath and offered his help in this regard. With his initiative, we met the renowned temple architect and sculptor Padma Bhusan Sri Raghunath Mahapatra, who promptly agreed to take up the work on turnkey basis. He made a visit to the temple site during 3rd week of August 2006 and surveyed the area. Now he is preparing the design and drawings and making the cost estimate for building Sri Jagannath temple in the same area.

##We are thankful to Sri Paramananda Barik of Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore for designing the LOGO of our Association.