Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 22: The donation box pertaining to the famous Lord Mahalingeshwara Temple here, which was standing by the roadside in the midst of the town, was evicted by the officials through an operation launched on Monday February 21. The box was standing there since the last three decades.

The clearance operation was conducted by the officials, as per the Supreme Court order to remove unauthorized religious structures and other  places of worship that obstruct the public movement. The revenue department officials, who removed the box with the help of a backhoe, were provided with security by the policemen.

This donation box (hundi), shaped like a Shiva Lingam with a shape carved like seven hoods of a serpent providing cover like an umbrella, had been initially installed by Vishwa Hindu Parishat. Till about two years back, the box used to be in the possession of Vishwa Hindu Parishat. This fact came to the fore after a local person sought information under the Right to Information Act. Thereafter, the box was handed over to the custody of Lord Mahalingeshwara Temple.

The operation to remove the box was peaceful, as it was carried out without any objections or opposition.