HMT to revive Chikka Gadiyara

Historic Dodda Gadiyara also to be restored under CSR initiative   

Mysuru: Finally, the 140-year-old clock in the Dufferin Clock Tower, popularly known as ‘Chikka Gadiyara’ and one of Mysuru city’s prominent historical landmarks, is set to be repaired with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support from HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools).

HMT officials visited the heritage clock tower and dismantled its internal machinery for inspection. Technicians found that several essential spare parts were missing and that some of the components would be expensive to replace.

The parts were removed to assess the extent of repairs required and prepare a cost estimate to restore the clock to working condition.

HMT will undertake the repairs using the spare parts available with it, while the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has been asked to separately procure the rare and costly components required for the restoration.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha said that if the cost of the required parts is below Rs. 1 lakh, the MCC would procure them directly. If the cost exceeds Rs. 1 lakh, a formal tender would be invited or additional funds would be mobilised through other CSR partnerships. A meeting with the technical team is scheduled today at the Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) office to discuss the issue in detail and arrive at a firm cost estimate, she said.

Built for Lord Dufferin

In 1886, Chamaraja Wadiyar invited Lord Dufferin, the then Viceroy of British India, to visit Mysuru. To commemorate the visit, a modest clock tower was erected and was named as  ‘Dufferin Clock Tower’.

At a time when clocks were a rarity, Chamaraja Wadiyar is said to have constructed the tower to encourage a sense of time-keeping among the people. The structure, adorned with ornate carvings and elegant pillars with a fountain below, was unveiled around the time of the Viceroy’s visit.

Dodda Gadiyara next

The MCC Commissioner also said plans were being initiated to restore the defunct clock of the historic 99-year-old Silver Jubilee Clock Tower, popularly known as Dodda Gadiyara (Big Clock Tower) at Gandhi Square opposite Rangacharlu Memorial Town Hall.

“We will look to repair the clock through a similar CSR initiative in the near future,” she said.

The 75-ft. clock tower was erected by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on Aug. 8, 1927, to commemorate the 25th year of his reign. A clock is mounted atop the structure.

The tower features inscriptions in Sanskrit, Kannada, English and Persian on its four sides, with details of the clock’s establishment, date, month and year inscribed in golden letters on marble plaques.

However, the plaques are now in a deteriorated condition, with the lettering having faded over the years. The clock was once known for its resonant chimes, which could reportedly be heard from nearly two kilometres away. However, its chimes have remained silent for more than 30 years.