Udupi: Temples are roots of Hinduism - Pejawar Swamiji


Udupi: Temples are roots of Hinduism - Pejawar Swamiji

Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SM)

Udupi, Feb 9: "Hinduism still exists in India because of its temples. Several attempts were made by many people in the past to destroy temples, but they remained strong, binding the people together," said Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math.

He spoke after inaugurating an all-member convention of the district's notified temples' organizing committees, organized by the district religious endowment department at Town Hall here on Saturday February 9.

Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamiji further said, "As far as Hindu religion is concerned, every temple is the root of Hinduism and to uphold culture and dignity of Hinduism, pujas and bhajans are a must. This is one of the best programmes organized by the endowment department."

"For a strong temple organization it is important to have a well-structured administration and formation of organizing committee is also necessary," he added. He also urged the temple committees to give importance to social activities and provide social help to the needy.

"Temples should publicize themselves like churches. Hindus should not be allowed to convert to Christianity, and for this the temples have to provide everything which the churches provide to influence Hindus. To stop conversion, all Hindu organizations should work together along with temple committees, temple-related organizations, Maths and muzrai department," he said.

"The government cannot interfere in religious affairs. Hence departments should be formed with temple administration under them. This will give a clear structure to development and fulfill the necessities of the temples," he opined.

"To uphold Hinduism the least we can to do is to provide religious education and basic knowledge of Bhajans to all. Social prayers should be conducted atleast once in 15 days in every temple," Pejawar Swamiji added.

Kota Srinivas Poojary said that for effective temple administration it is necessary to form an organizing committee which can look after the needs of the temple. "They should work together and regularly hold meetings and seminars on the administration and problems faced by the temples. In the state there are 34,266 temples and all of them are categorizes with A, B and C grades. There are 125 temples which belong to A grade which earn more than Rs 20 lac, 189 temples under B grade which earn between Rs 5 lac and Rs 20 lac, and more than 33,900 temples under C grade which earn below Rs 5 lac," he said.

"Nearly 15,000 temples earned less than Rs 1 lac. These temples were earlier given Rs 6,000 per year and under Dr V S Acharya they were given Rs 12,000 per year for their basic needs. I have increased this amount to Rs 24,000, for which the order will be issued next week. This amount will be used for conducting pujas and fulfilling other needs of the temples, so that a good puja system is followed and people visit the temples more often," he added.

"As minister, I have released Rs 19.8 lac for 480 temples. More will be sanctioned soon. In Karnataka 25 temples are considered as ‘Pravasi (tourist) temples’. Rs 1 crore has been allotted for them and KSRTC bus facility will also be provided for tourists," he said.

He also said that it had been his dream to hold a ‘Religious Day’ and the same will be celebrated on Chandramana Ugadi day. "Within ten days an order for the same will be passed. This will bring everyone together," he said.

"Next month a new magazine by the muzrai department will be released which will have some of the best articles aimed to promote culture. It will be distributed to all the temples and related organizations. Name for the new magazine is yet to be decided," he informed.

"Using gods' images in unwanted places or on materials will be banned and strict action will be taken against violators," he said.

"In the name of black magic women and children are being exploited. This will not be tolerated. To check this, a committee will be formed and within a year a report will be submitted. On this basis appropriate action will be taken," he added.

MLA Raghupati Bhat, Tingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, CDA chairman, Sheela Shetty and others were present.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Mahesh Rao, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    All must follow AMMA. She is a prophet of peace and love.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • GuruPrasad, M'lore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    OBSERVE THE 3rd PHOTO WHERE A MAN BEHIND WINKLED SO NICELY BECAUSE, HE HAD DISTURBED EXPERIENCE...:)

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna Kant, Mangalore/Moodbidri

    Mon, Feb 11 2013

    Raghu you are right, Beside that the human being of this planet is a big pretender.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, udupi

    Mon, Feb 11 2013

    Uday Shetty, Shirva/Doha

    Here fist time i agreed you comments. We should respect all religious value, Not Politicians.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • WALTER, BAJPE/USA

    Mon, Feb 11 2013

    Ragu Pojari said it best. What difference does it make at the end of the day? Worship God. Every religion believes God created men: Adam and Eve. God did not ask them what religion would they like to believe in or practice? So, what is Hinduism, Islam, Christianity or Judaism? They all believe in God There is no conversion, people what is best for them. The best religion is the peace with all worshipers. Because all worship God. And let our children a religion that best describes their way of life with tolerance and respect to all religions and pray to God.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • RAJEEV.T.SHETTY., MANGALORE

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    as far i know external worship is only a symbol of internal worship.it is in love that religion exists and not in the temlple,in the pure and sincere in the heart,unless a man is pure in body and mind,his coming into a temple and worshipping shiva is useless.The prayers of those that are pure in mind and body will be answered by shiva,&those that r impure and yet try to teach religion to others will fail in the end.
    people have become so degraded in this kaliyuga that they think they can do anything,and then they can go to a holy place,and their sins will b forgiven,if a man goes with an impure mind into a temple,he adds to the sins that he had already,and goes home a worse man than when he left it.if tirtha(place of pilgrimage)is a place which is full of holy things and holy men,but if holy people live in a certain place,& if there is no temple there,even that is tirtha.if unholy people live in a place where there may be a hundred temples,the tirtha has vanished from that place.
    I STILL REMEMBER A STORY WHICH I READ IN SWAMI VIVEKANANDAS TEACHINGS.
    A RICH MAN HAD A GARDEN AND TWO GARDENERS,ONE OF THESE GARDENERS WAS VERY LAZY AND DID NOT WORK.BUT WHEN THE OWNER CAME TO THE GARDEN,THE LAZY MAN WOULD GET UP AND FOLD HIS ARMS AND SAY,"HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE FACE OF MY MASTER"and DANCE BEFORE HIM.THE GARDENER WOULD NOT TALK MUCH,BUT WOULD WORK HARD,AND PRODUCE ALL SORTS OF FRUITS,VEGETABLES WHICH HE WOULD CARRY ON HIS HEAD TO HIS MASTER WHO LIVED A LONG WAY OFF.OF THESE TWO GARDENERS,WHICH WOULD BE THE MORE BELOVED OF HIS MASTER?SHIVA IS THAT MASTER,AND THIS WORLD IS HIS GARDEN,AND THERE ARE TWO SORTS OF GARDENERS HERE,ONE IS LAZY,HYPOCRITICAL,AND DOES NOTHING,ONLY TALKING ABOUT SHIVAS BEAUTIFUL FEATURS,AND THE OTHER,WHO IS TAKING CARE OF SHIVA'S CHILDREN,ALL THOSE THAT R POOR AND WEAK.ALL ANIMALS,AND ALL HIS CREATION.WHICH OF THESE WOULD BE THE MORE BELOVED OF SHIVA?CERTAINLY HE THAT SERVES HIS CHILDREN,HE WHO WANTS TO SERVE SHIVA MUST SERVE HIS CHILDREN FIRST.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Juliet Mascarenhas, Bejai/Mangalore

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    I fully support the views of Mr.K.S. Bhat and Mr.Raghu Poojary.Bulsam I salute you.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raghu Poojary, Mangalore

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    Swamiji, what difference does it make if people convert to whatever religion of their choice it is their wish they can do what ever they think is good for them. end of the day we all worship to one GOD.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    "Temples should publicize themselves like churches. Hindus should not be allowed to convert to Christianity, and for this the temples have to provide everything which the churches provide to influence Hindus. To stop conversion, all Hindu organizations should work together along with temple committees, temple-related organizations, Maths and muzrai department," he said.For the first time ever I heard this true and correct speech.But so Unfortunate,who is listening?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Uday Shetty, Shirva/Doha

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    Bulsam, a very good comment. You have made my day. Kudos for your understanding of Holy Book "Geetha". You will find similar verses in Kuran as well as Bible. God dont need show and true religion is about compassion and pure love.

    Further politics and religion should not be mixed there should be an impartial guidance to the Governments irrespective of political affiliations.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    Jeevan,

    I have for the first time ed 'AGREE' slot for your comment but with following observation :

    Temples generate huge income which is taxed. Instead, Swamiji can ask donors to contribute directly towards 'Gurukul' scheme, so that children can receive religions knowledge. Donations to such registered institutes earns a tax-rebate to the donor too.

    Do not envy how other religions prosper, learn from them and enforce self prosperity.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev Sagar, Mangalore

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    TEMPLES AND SWAMIJIS SHOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH ACTIVE POLITICS. POLITICS AND RELIGIONS SHOULD NEVER BE MIXED. THERE ARE LEADERS ELECTED BY PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF POLITICS.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • K S Bhat, Mangalore

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    I fully and unconditionally agree with Pejawar Swamiji. I want to add that temples also have a responsibility to guide and monitor self proclaimed moral policing groups like Rama Sene and Bajrangdal to restrict their activities to genuine social service and not to involve in anti social activities and attacks on innocent people in the name of religion and culture as they reflect badly on our hindu culture.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [60] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mangalore/Mapusa/Mumbai

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    Thank you Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamiji for not mixing religion with politics........

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

    Sun, Feb 10 2013

    All the best Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math in your efforts improve lives of people

    DisAgree [17] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bulsam, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 09 2013

    As per Bhagwat Gita, for any true devotee, there are nine ways to pray or do bhakti of God. The highest form of Bhakti does not crave for the fulfillment of any desire and is unconditional. Bhakti is a divine love illuminated by a full knowledge (Jynana) of the Lord in it. Jynana and Bhakti are two aspects of path-way to realization of soul and the supreme. Both are co-related. There cannot be any devotion without affirm and adequate knowledge of the object of devotion nor any pursuit of knowledge can be there without the urge of love for Lord.
    There nine stages or forms of Bhakti (Navavidha Bhakti) as per Bhagwat Gita are:
    "Shravanam, Keertanam, Vishnoho Smaranam, Padasevanam, Archanam, Vandanam, Dasyam, Sakhyam, Atmaniv…
    Meaning: God pleases with any items not necessarily Gold or wealth. He is pleased with anything given by his devotee from bottom of heart and total love.
    "Patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati tad aham bhakty-upahritam ashnami prayatatmanah"
    Meaning: If one offers ME with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
    A Hindu can performs Panchopchar Pooja at his residence where "Panchaytanam" is kept in one of the sacred place called Devghar at the northeast of the house.
    Manaspooja (All rituals done in mind) is also supposed to be the best form of bhakti, in which you perform, pray and do Pooja of your Ishta Devata, considering it is at the mano-aakash present at the bottom of heart.
    The priests of all religion should teach the truth of their religion and not hate of humanity under the guise of truth.
    Don’t search for God in temple, mosque or church but your own heart. For a true devotee, any spot on earth is their real temple, mosque or church.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [57] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 09 2013

    I request Sri.Pejawar swamiji & Sri. Poojary to start Hindu Gurukula for our childrens every nook and corner of state to know more about our dharma.

    DisAgree [43] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Udupi: Temples are roots of Hinduism - Pejawar Swamiji



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