Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Jul 9: Over the controversy of shifting the tomb of Vimalananda Swamiji of Nithyananda Mutt the villagers of Kollur village have urged the state government to intervene and shift the tomb outside the boundary of Jattiga’s( the stones laid by the founders of the temple) according to the beliefs of the villagers.
Addressing the press meet in the press club here on Wednesday July 9, the gram panchyat member of Kollur village urged the need to shift the tomb.
He said, “As per the belief if any dead body exists in the area within the Jattiga’s in the village it is impossible to carry out the worships as per the routine. None of the villagers cremate their bodies or keep the bodies for a long time waiting for the arrival of the dear ones."
"Realizing this the gram panchayat of Kollur has taken a decision to shift the tomb outside the boundary of beliefs, (the boundary of Jattiga’s) but the followers of Vimalananda Swamiji are objecting this," he added.
He also said that the land where the swamiji had been cremated did not belong to Nityananda Mutt and added, "The mutt has acquired the reserved forest of the forest department and their petition under the Akrama Sakrama has been rejected. We have promised them to give the land for setting the tomb outside the boundary of Jattiga’s but they do not respect the beliefs of the temple and the region.”
He asked the government to intervene, make necessary arrangements and to respect the feelings of the people.
He also said that the tomb that had been set up was made intentionally. When a swamiji expires the followers of him will have to discuss the matter with all and carry out the cremation activities on next day at 3 pm. But they have allegedly cremated the dead body at 9 pm without informing anyone.
Ex MLC Balakrishna Bhat, villagers Subrahmanya Adiga and Shripathi Acharya were present on the occasion.