Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 2: The priests of Lord Mahabaleshwara Temple of Gokarna, a famous pilgrimage centre, have approached the state High Court, against the order of the state government, transferring the temple administration to Ramachandrapur Math of Hosanagar.
A group of 25 persons including Vishwanath, Phaniraj Bhat, Gopi and others, have in their petition, alleged that the chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has purposefully violated rules and affected the said transfer, for reaping political benefits.
On April 30, 2003, the muzrai department in the state through a notification had brought 34,245 temples and religious institutions, under the administration of the government. Lord Mahabaleshwara temple of Gokarna was also included in this list. The president of the temple governing council had on February 1, 2008 requested the government to hand-over the temple administration to Ramachandrapur Math. The administrative officer of the Math too wrote to the government on April 12 and May 8 this year, requesting it to hand-over temple administration to the Math.
The government, after consulting the advocate general, de-listed the temple from its notification and asked the deputy commissioner of Uttara Kannada district to hand-over the temple to the said Math, the petitioners stated.
They argue that the above action is illegal, as cabinet approval was not obtained before passing the orders. The temple is being gifted to the Math to appease the Math swamiji, who is protesting against the Tadadi power project, the petitioners have alleged, requesting the court to set aside the government order.
Home minister Dr V S Acharya, speaking to reporters on Monday September 1, said that the government had transferred the said temple to Ramachandrapur Math with noble intentions. The government feels that rather than individuals, a religious Math can run the temple in a better way, he said. "We want the temple to be developed. If this purpose fails, the government may withdraw the order later, he explained.