Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)
Karwar, Sep 20: As per the orders passed by the high court in a public interest litigation, the administration of Gokarna Lord Mahabaleshwara temple in Uttara Kannada district, which has impressive history and finds mention in mythology, was taken over by the government on Wednesday September 19. The temple had been given to Sri Ramachandrapur Math for administration by the state government in the year 2008 after the government found that it was managing this temple in the past. However, the high court, which upheld the public interest litigation questioning the government's action, ordered the government to take back control of this temple.
Gokarna Lord Mahabaleshwara temple
The high court had ordered formation of a temple monitoring committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice B N Srikrishna. Later, a division bench presided over by Justice B V Nagaratna and Justice Aravind Kumar ordered the temple to be vested back with the government.
Deputy commissioner of the district, S S Nakul, who also happens to be the president of the temple monitoring committee, took over the temple administration. The monitoring committee received valuables, ornaments and other assets of the temple, duly tallying the same with a list maintained by the temple authorities.
Administrative officer of the temple, G K Hegde, handed over all lthe fixed and movable assets of the temple to the government.
When the temple administration was being taken over, advocates on behalf of Ramachandrapur Math objected. Advocate, Shambhu Sharma, accused the officials of taking over charge against the SupremeCourt order. He said he would file contempt of court case in the Supreme Court against the government. Several people working as priests in the temple since many years also opposed the taking over. The process however continued under police protection.
Speaking on the occasion, Nakul said that the temple administration has been taken over by the monitirong committee as per the high court order. He said he is not aware about confusions or objections if any Ramachandrapur Math has about the high court judgement, which is clear. He said he had taken over administration as per the instructions of muzrai department commissioner and that members would soon be appointed to the committee.
Additional deputy commissioner, Dr Suresh Itnal, Kumta subdivisional officer, Laxmipriya, and other officials were present.