Mangalore: Kateel - Teertha Dispensing Dispute Turns Tug of War


Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 19: Administrative officer of Kateel Goddess Durgaparameshwari Temple, Rohini Sindhuri Dasari, registered a complaint in Bajpe police station on Monday April 18 against the temple priests. The complaint, filed through the temple manager, accused the priests of obstructing her from discharging government duties.

On Monday morning, Sindhuri had visited the temple and orally instructed the priests not to dispense holy water (Teertha) at Teertha Mantapa of the temple, and install the donation box of the temple there. But the priests of the temple refused to oblige, saying that it is customary for the priests of coastal Karnataka to give Teertha to devotees at the Teertha Mantapa of the temple. They said this procedure has been handed down through generations.

When Sindhuri directed the policemen to stop the process of distributing Teertha and Prasadam from Teertha Mantapa, the policemen said they were there just to provide protection to her. They instead, suggested her to use the services of the temple staff. After temple employees too refused to oblige, Sindhuri complained to Bajpe police station, saying that the priests of Kateel temple had obstructed discharge of government duty. It is gathered that she took back the complaint on Monday evening, and instead, filed a fresh complaint through the temple manager.

The priests resented interference in religious rituals and things which are related with the sentiments of the devotees. They said that the administrative officer was not right in pressing ahead with her decision. They said that if the donation box is installed at the Teertha Mantap, conducting of Nitya Bali procedure in the temple will be affected. They also wanted written order of the deputy commissioner to stop dispensing Teertha from Teertha Mantap, and expressed their unwillingness to obey oral order.

The priests filed a counter complaint in Bajpe police station, alleging that the temple administrative officer had visited the temple on Monday morning, and obstructed them from performing their routine puja procedures.

  

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Comment on this article

  • JAGANNATH KATEEL, DUBAI- AL AIN

    Wed, Apr 20 2011

    by enforcing the law and by the power hearting crores of kateel ammas devotees is not justified. faith is great.dear officials donot heart the faith of the devotees.

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  • Kateel Ramesh Prabhu, Kateel/Bangalore

    Tue, Apr 19 2011

    It is very sad to see the indifferent attitude of the Admn Officer towards the bassic duties performed by the archaks of the temple.It is a practice through centuries that despensation of theertha in the theeratha mantap only.Obstructing this practice is nothing but herting the sentiments of lakhs of devotees of the temple.Honorable DC should intervene immediately and bring status quo for the practice of despensing the theertha and prasada.
    @Jeevan,Mangalore
    It is wrong to conclude that Asrannas are only after money.Please note that they are part and parcel of this golrious century old temple and one can see the archaks are always interacting with even unknown visiting devotees with smileand with out any greed for 'dakshine' which is hardly could be seen in other temples.Further Asrannas are blessed for doing the seva of Godess Sree Durga Parameshwari and it is totally untrue that they are only after money as you have commented.

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  • JRAO,

    Tue, Apr 19 2011

    From the very name it is called for the purpose why Mantap is there!
    If A.O. wants to keep HUNDI box there is she ready to remove all other HUNDI box! HUNDI is secondary but which should not be obstruction to perform seva or to pray almighty. A.O. should keep it in mind always it is a temple but not a commercial centre where holyness has to be preserved.

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  • jevvan, mangalore

    Tue, Apr 19 2011

    These archakas or asrannas are only after money.they fight among themselves .

    The earlier asrannas were good.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • vishwa, mangalore\usa

    Tue, Apr 19 2011

    Very sad to see Governmnet officers behaviour to change some thing which is taking place from generation. Officer is there to take care of day to day activity not to change the ritual.

    If daiji can find out what made here to issue this order will help to understand the situation better

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Title: Mangalore: Kateel - Teertha Dispensing Dispute Turns Tug of War



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