Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (DV)
Udupi, Nov 6: Twenty-five temples in the state have been chosen for Muzrai Temple Tourism Project. On this account, Rs 1 cr has been sanctioned to Neelavara and Kota Sri Amritheshwari temple in the district said Muzrai and Udupi district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.
He inaugurated the district priests’ convention organized by Zilla Dharmika Parishad and Muzrai Temples Priests’ Association on Sunday here at Rajangana hall of Shree Krishna Mutt.
In order to give an understanding of the temples to the children, a contract has been made with KSRTC for children’s educational tour. To create awareness of our country’s culture, family values, epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata among the children, summer camps will be organized in temples, he detailed.
If the state implements lessons on Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavath Geetha in text books it will be blamed for Saffornization or Bhraminisation. Valmiki who wrote Ramayana, Rama, Vyasa, and Krishna were not Bhramins. Then on what ground will it become Bhraminisation, he questioned.
In times of drought had hit the state, being the muzrai minster I recommended to perform pujas and pray for rain. During drought the agriculture minister can allocate seeds, rural minister can raise funds, what can I do being the muzrai minister? he questioned and added that he could only suggest offering prayers. Huge amount of hue and cry surfaced on this issue. There are more than 33,000 temples in the state, with priests and administrative trusties in same numbers who did not raise their voice during the time. If anyone could give a single statement regarding this issue, it would not have mooted any controversy, but no one raised their voice against this, he regretted.
The erstwhile practice of organizing Harikatha, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and Pravachanas has been resumed in temples. This will help to uphold the family values, cultural consciousness and make the younger generation to follow the right path, he said.
The department has planned to adopt villages through temples and work for its development; the Temple priests play major role in development and should maintain uniformity in the Temples. The Temple priests will be provided identity card along with accommodation facility in the vicinity of the temple, he added.
Shree Vidhyasagaratirtha Swamijji of Krishnapura Mutt said that in Kalyug an individual cannot attain triumph; it can only be gained through collective efforts. There are many organizations working for the society. The priests should be stronger through struggle. Earlier the priests were not claiming their right to perform puja in temples with less income, but now when government provides facility they are ready to claim their rights. The priests should get closer to god, and show their bonding towards their work and give up greed for money and be faithful to the religion.
Guruji Ramaswamy Devashri Bangalore, District Dharmika Parishad president Kumar, state Parishad president Panja Bhaskar Bhat, Udupi municipal president Kiran Kumar, Vishwa Hindu Parishad district president Suprasad Shetty, Hattiangadi temple main priest Ramachandra Bhat, Ramchandra Rao of Vanadurga Trust, district priest associations president Ramadas Acharya were present during the occasion.
Vice president of priests’ association Kadyali Shripathi Upadhyay welcomed, state muzrai priest association president Shrivatsa delivered key note address, treasurer Vedhavyasa Aithal compered.