Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)
Karwar, Sep 16: Raghaveshwara Swamiji of Hosnagar Sri Ramachandrapur Math, who is set to take over the administration of Gokarn temple as per government orders, administered a oath of determination, for the overall rejuvenation and renaissance of this pilgrimage centre, to over 25,000 devotees present near the Atmalinga Dais erected at Bhadrakali Highschool of Gokarn on Monday September 15. The swamiji sought the divine support of Lord Shiva to equip him with vigour and support of the devotees, for achieving total development of the temple, to pave way for the overall upliftment of mankind and the world.
Udupi Pejawar math swamiji Sri Vishweshateerta in his address, said that Atmalinga, in which form Lord Mahabaleshwara resides in Gokarna, finds mention in Hindu mythologies and epics. Atmalinga has been described there in as having been so deeply and strongly embedded in the earth, that all efforts made by Ravana to pick it up turned futile. The Atmalinga depicts the truth, that the ancient Hindu religion can never be uprooted. The vow taken by everyone here for the total development of the temple is the vow of the entire India. The society, saints and government have made up their minds together for achieving development of this pilgrimage centre. We wholeheartedly support Raghaveshwara Swamiji in his endeavours, he said.
On the other hand, Sonda Swarnavalli Mahasamsthan swamiji Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati, who has a large following in the state, struck a discordant note by saying at a meeting of devotees held at his math, that everything is not well in the transfer of Gokarn temple administration to Sri Ramachandrapur Math. He expressed his displeasure at the govenment's decision to transfer Gokarn temple to the above math, terming it as a unilateral decision, taken without consulting various parties, maths and religious organzations. Gokarn is a holy place and politics should never be involved with it, he opined. He stressed, that there was no need for the government to take a hasty decision to tranfer the temple to a math, by snatching it away from the current administrators.
Saying that he strongly advocates for Gokarn temple to function independently without outside influences, he said his opinion has the support of several swamijis. He urged the government to reconsider its decision duly taking Ramachandrapur Math swamiji into confidence and find a concilliatory solution, so that the relationships between various maths, which are cordial now, do not turn sour over the issue.