Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/MS)

Udupi, Jul 23: The administrative committee of the Mahisha Mardini temple at Kadiyali near here used to close the gate of the temple from 1 pm till 4 pm every day since many days. The residents, who reside nearby, are dependent on this access and they were facing issue due to the closure of the gate. So a verbal duel was going on between the nearby residents and the administrative committee of this temple since many days.

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 22, Raghupati Bhat, MLA of Udupi, was made to wait for an hour near the gate of the temple as it was closed. Many residents of this place had bought this issue to the notice of the MLA. On Sunday, Raghupati Bhat, who had arrived for the 'Kesarda Gobbu' programme, organized by the Kadiyali Ganeshotsava Samiti, got stuck and had to get the gate opened after giving information to DC and the police department.

Bhat, who was made to wait for an hour, took to task Srinivas Hebbar, president of the administrative committee of the temple, for closing the gate. Bhat warned Hebbar not to close the gate in the afternoon. He also said that it is not right on the part of the administrative committee to cause inconvenience to the public for an internal matter of the temple.

Srinivas Hebbar defending the action said, "According to the 'Ashtamanagala Prashne', it is not allowed to bring vehicles inside the temple premises. Earlier, many vehicles have collided with the 'Kshetrapala' of the temple and have damaged the same. That is why this action is taken."

MLA Bhat questioned Hebbar and said, "Whether this decision of the temple does not affect the residents of 50 houses who have to cross the temple premises to reach their houses?"

Hebbar retorted by saying that gate is being closed at Krishna Math also.

Bhat clarified by saying that "The gate is being closed at Krishna Math for security reasons and the order to close the road is given by the Deputy Commissioner (DC). If the district administration passes an order, then the gate of this temple can also be closed. Nobody will have any objection to it. However, if this issue has cropped up in 'Ashtamanagala Prashne', then alternative arrangement has to be done for the public and then the access needs to be closed. It is not right to oppress the general public."

Local people joined hands with the MLA and condemned the decision taken by the temple administrative committee.

Raghupati Bhat has assured the public that a meeting will be called within a week between the district officials and the temple administrative committee to resolve the issue.