Kaginele Swamiji backs govt control over Krishna Math, Dr Heggade differs

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, May 31: Sri Niranjanananda Puri, spiritual head of Kaginele Kanaka Guru Peetha in Haveri district, has opined that Sri Krishna Math in Udupi and Gokarn temple in Uttara Kannada should be brought under the control of the muzrai department. He gave this opinion while participating in a debate conducted by a media house. He noted that Sri Krishna Math is often involved with one controversy or the other.

He also demanded for adopting sheep as the national animal of India. “Sheep is a superior animal when compared to cow. Sheep have also got prominence in ancient scriptures. They eat unwanted vegetation and give milk. I had raised this demand earlier too, when Jagadish Shettar was the chief minister,” he said.  He however, hastened to add that his intention is not to identify sheep with any particular caste or community.

Madara Channayya Swamiji said it would be unfair for an individual to take decisions on taking over administration of religious institutions based on his own thinking. He said demands like these are unwarranted, and a decision can be taken only after holding extensive discussions with all the concerned.

However, speaking at Hassan, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, opined that it is improper on the part of the government to take over Sri Krishna Match in Udupi and Gokarn temple.

He was responding to queries raised by presspersons during the re-consecration of Hallada Rameshwara temple standing in the compound of Ayurveda College at Hassan with help from Dharmothana Foundation Dharmasthala.

“There are technical snags too in taking over Sri Krishna Math. Priests are not involved in the Math. Instead, the Swamijis perform the daily puja. Traditionally, the management of the Math changes hands once in two years. Traditions will be compromised if the Math is taken over. This does not bode well for the Math. If there are any issues, the government can ask the Math to take corrective steps,”he opined.

Dr Heggade also said that after Gokarna temple was handed over to Sri Ramachandrapura Math, the devotees have become happier.

“An environment of spirituality can be experienced there now, as against the previous administration when the devotees faced difficulties. Cleanliness is also maintained. If certain changes are to be made, the government can give instructions. These administrations will bring these changes into affect like we did at Dharmasthala earlier,” Heggade said.

He however, stressed that taking over the administration is not a desirable move.