Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Feb 10: Endowment department of government of Karnataka has come up with an unique proposal and a committee is also set up for the purpose of conducting long and short term courses in Sanskrit and Vedas popular temples of the state. This means that the priests of these temples have to brush up their knowledge of Sanskrit and Vedas.

"A committee to study the pros and cons of this proposal is set up under the chairmanship of Govinda Bhat. In addition to learning Vedas and Sanskrit the temple premises will be used for the study of Agama Shastra (manual for worship, temple building and rituals). This proposal, if implemented, is thought to help for future priests as well as enhancing the knowledge of those who are already serving as the priest at temples," said Kota Srinivas Poojary, minister for Endowment, government of Karnataka.

Poojary further said, "As the temple premises have large space and facilities, the same can be utilized for the purpose of those who want to learn Sanskrit and Vedas. Though there are many colleges in the state to learn Sanskrit and Vedas, they lack necessary facilities and infrastructure."

It is also being looked into whether there is a possibility of introducing a year-long course in Vedas and Agama Shastras. One of the department official said, "The proposed course would be like a skill-development programme for young priests, who want to become temple priests in future. They will be given practical classes by senior priests from various temples of the state."

The endowment department is also thinking of private participation in reviving the ponds, lakes and Kalyanis throughout the state, which belong to temples. The project will be named as Jalabhisheka and the money collected from private players will be used for this purpose.