Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav (2024) : Revival of Temple Culture
Vidyadhiraj Hall – The Dharma of the temple priests is not limited to applying tilak to the devotees. They are also expected to teach Dharma to Hindus. It will increase the pride in Dharma, increase their morale and all will unite. In the present times, Hindu Dharma is being defamed by the non-believers. To counter this defamation, it is necessary to obtain authentic scriptural knowledge from priests, said H.H. Prof. Pawan Sinha Guruji (Founder, Paavan Chintan Dhara Ashram). He was speaking on the efforts required for the revival of temple culture, on Day 5 of the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav.
Temples must be cleaned
H.H. Pawan Sinha Guruji said, “Efforts are required to ensure the glory of the temples is not lost. Temples transform the life of devotees. There should be some rules while going to temples. We go to the temple and leave our baggage of sin and expectations. Now when Hindus go there, they also leave behind impurity. One’s consciousness cannot be uplifted without performing the service of cleanliness in the temple. So we should clean the temple ourselves.”
Necessary to create well-managed ashrams
The Ashram system should also be managed along with the temple. There is a union of vyashti (the individual) and samashti (the collective) there. In the ashram, raw clay is shaped into a pot. One can attain spiritual advancement and education there. Previously, the Acharyas and Saints maintained the morale of the people when there was chaos in the society. The same situation has arisen today. Due to this, it is necessary to create well-managed ashrams.
Temple trustees should follow rules to avoid government takeover of the temple – Former Principal & District Judge Dilip Deshmukh, Pune
Ramnath Devasthan – If the temple trustees manage the temple well, follow the rules related to the temple, avoid internal disputes, then the government will not have any opportunity to take over any temple. This will also help the trustees avoid letting their temple administration slip into government hands, said Dilip Deshmukh (Former Principal & District Judge). He was speaking on efforts required to avoid government control on temple administration during the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav (2024).
🛕 A visit to Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir, Pandharpur would reflect if the purpose of Government takeover based on mismanagement is served at all ! – Adv Dilip Deshmukh, Former Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra
Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav
🛕One needs to visit Shegaon… pic.twitter.com/gfwBKhjzdb
— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) June 28, 2024
In his guidance he said that the government had told the High Court that ‘the administration of the renowned Shree Vitthal temple at Pandharpur in Maharashtra was taken over by the government due to complaints about its management’. To avoid government takeover of any temple, the temple trustees should submit a budget, maintain income and expenditure accounts, concerned temple trustees should maintain a register of immovable and movable assets, verify transactions every 3 months. Along with this, the circulars issued by the Charity Commissioner must be followed. Not only this, the temple trustees should avoid spending in wrong places, the temple trustee should not have any serious criminal record. The biggest problem is the internal disputes in the management of the temple. Because of this, the government gets an opportunity to take over the temple management.
Commendable management of Shegaon templeA good example of well-managed temples in India is the Shegaon temple in Maharashtra. The cleanliness and orderliness there is commendable. There are few paid staff, while most others serve. There is a 2-year wait to offer seva (services). Even if other temple trustees follow 10% of what this temple does, there will be a huge change in the management of their temples. – Former Principal & District Judge Dilip Deshmukh, Pune |
Brotherhood of Hindutva needed to protect temples now : Sunil Ghanwat, HJS
Ramnath Devasthan, Goa – There are shops of non-Hindus (who neither believe in Hindu Dharma or murti-puja) near many temples. Due to this, the money of devout Hindus goes to other religionists which is then used against Hindus themselves. During riots, these fanatics target Hindu temples. Therefore, the idea of the brotherhood of Hindutva is essential for the safety of temples. There are hotels with Hindu-esque names run by non-Hindus in the premises of famous temples in Maharashtra like Pandharpur. Don’t be surprised if guests at this hotel are served Halal food. In some places Hindu craftsmen are not available for the restoration of temples, so Muslim craftsmen are called. Those who do not believe in idols and eat beef work in building temples. There are 6-7 Muslim employees working in Shanishinganapur Devasthan in Maharashtra. In which mosque are Hindus appointed as trustees? So how are non-Hindus appointed in the government administered temples? Hindus need to seriously contemplate. If the temples are safe, the nation and Hindus will be safe. When Shri Ramlalla was crowned in Ayodhya, there was excitement throughout India and the world. That excitement is still palpable. Therefore, not only Kashi and Mathura, but four and a half lakh temples in the country should be freed from government control and handed over to the devotees. Every temple should be a centre of Sanatan Dharmarakshan (Protection of Sanatan Dharma), said Sunil Ghanwat (Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh Coordinator, HJS). He was speaking on ensuring that non-Hindus are not allowed either in Temple administration or in Temple premises.