Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (JP/SP)  

Kundapur, Jun 11: Former trustee of Mookambika Temple Trust and ex-MLA B Appanna Hegde has alleged, that funds amounting to  lacs of rupees are being raised in Muscat in the name of Goddess Mookambika and that the present managing trustee of this Kollur-based temple is engaged in the task of allowing and encouraging the non-resident Indians to collect money from unsuspecting devotees by misusing the sacred name of presiding temple deity Goddess Mookambika.

Condemning this unethical trend of hurting the religious sentiments of the people, Hegde,  addressing the media persons at a press meet  held here recently, presented facts, figures and photographs of some puja rituals allegedly undertaken  at Ruwi, Oman without religious sanctity. Hegde has alleged, that the act of looting funds in the name of God was conducted right under the nose of the present managing trustee of Mookambika temple.

In addition to this heinous act, Appanna Hegde alleged, that the managing trustee had in a clandestine manner, presented one of the junior priests of the temple as the chief priest of the temple authorized to raise funds for conducting  rituals and yagas especially the 'Chandika Yaga' conducted for appeasing the Goddess.He also recalled a similar incident in the past where the misdeeds of the trust had come to the fore and the Mookambika temple trustees had to forgo their posts.

Kollur village  has a crying need for drinking water supply, drainage and  also cleanliness, which is said to be next to godliness. Charging the present administration with neglecting these basic needs, he  appealed to the authorities to dissolve the present board of trustees and replace it with a newly-constituted trust comprising of honest persons,  before people raise banner of revolt against the misdeeds of the present trust such as the illegal transfer of  Rs 4.5 crore deposit standing in the name of the temple from Syndicate Bank to Canara Bank.