Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)

Karwar, Aug 21: The historically famous Lord Mahabaleshwar temple at Gokarna in the district, which was under the control of Sri Ramachandrapur Math since the last ten years, is likely to be taken back by the government into its control on August 23 in tune with the judgement of a division bench of the state high court (HC) here.

In a judgement delivered on August 10 this year, a division bench of the HC comprising Justice B V Nagaratna and Justice Aravind Kumar, had annulled  a government order that had handed over management of the temple to the said Math. The HC had said that a committee headed by the deputy commissioner of the district should oversee the management of the temple. In tune with these orders, deputy commissioner, S S Nakul, has taken steps. On Monday, Kumta subdivisonal officer went to Gokarna and checked the assets of the temple which includes fixed assets, movables, and bank accounts. He also compared the assets and documents when the government handed the temple to Ramachandrapur Math.

Deputy commissioner, S S Nakul, said that as per the HC orders, steps are being taken to take control of the said temple. Administrative officer of the temple, G K Hegde, said that legal processes have been set into motion in an effort to secure stay order against the HC judgement.