To inspire villagers, retired engineer builds tombs for self, wife in Karnataka, calls it 'Sun temple'

MANDYA: An 85-year-old retired civil engineer, Puttaswamy, who worked across Karnataka for 35 years until 1998 in various departments, including BDA, BBMP, health, and irrigation, constructed individual tombs for himself and his wife in their hometown.
Located in Valagere Menase village, these tombs measure six feet deep and three feet wide, filled with sand and covered with granite. Born in 1940 to a poor family dependent on agriculture in Valagere Menase, 4km from KR Pet taluk headquarters, Puttaswamy began his education directly from Class V. He completed his studies at Yuvaraja College and NIE in Mysuru.
Puttaswamy calls the tomb a Sun temple. "My goal is to inspire the villagers through this temple. I'm against superstitious beliefs," he said. adding: "As the Sun is the source of all knowledge, I named the mandir after Him."
"After completing my BE in civil engineering at NIE, Mysuru, I got a job in the state govt. From Wenlock District Hospital, Mangaluru, to BDA, (then) BMP in Bengaluru, I served across the state. During my student and working days, I was deeply influenced by the thoughts of Buddha, Basavanna, Gandhi, and Ambedkar. I didn't seek my share in my ancestors' property in the village, as the family was poor. Now, I built this mandir on four gunta of land given away by the family members," he explained.
His wife Radha,77, has studied till Class X. The Puttaswamy-Radha couple has five children. Their four daughters studied medicine while their son pursued engineering in the US. The couple currently resides with their son.
"My wife looked after my children carefully while I worked for different departments. She ensured that all five children pursue good education," he said.
"Three years ago, I got this idea. The work started a year ago. My relatives also gave money for all the work, so I don't know the exact budget," he said.
The statues of Buddha, Basavanna, Gandhi, and Ambedkar, each 5 feet tall, were crafted by artist Devaraja CS, an alumnus of CKP, Bengaluru. "Important quotes of all these personalties are written in the mandir," he said.