Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Mar 6: The issue of taking the Utsava Murty (minitature replica of the presiding deity's idol) in procession till Olaga Mantapa of Kollur Goddess Mookambika Temple, which had created a dispute on account of procedural issues involved, was settled in a meeting held here on Thursday March 5.

In normal course, the Utsava Murty of the temple was taken in a procession till Olaga Mantapa of the temple during car festivals annually. However, last year, after the death of Vimalananda Swamiji of Nityananda Ashram here was buried near the Olaga Mantapa in spite of objections from temple and general public, there were demands that Utsava Murty procession should not go there. Many religious experts are of the view that it would compromise with the sanctity of the idol.

Since long, funeral or cremation of bodies are never being conducted within the limits of the temple, which is drawn as per ancient procedures. Last year, the funeral of Vimalananda Swamiji had given rise to disputes, but the Ashram manager had stood firm on not to disinter the Swamiji's body and shift it elsewhere as demanded by temple devotees and management.

At the meeting held on Thursday, one of the priests of the temple, Sridhar Adiga, expressed the view that it is not desirable to take the idol to Olaga Mantapa as that place has witnessed violation of traditions. However, many members of the general public felt that it would be wrong to stop a practice that is in vogue since ancient times.

President of temple governing council, Krishnaprasad Adyantaya, after listening to the views, ruled that procession will be taken till Olaga Mantapa as otherwise it will tantamount to breaking the tradition.