Third ‘Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad’ organised in Shirdi

(From left) Mr Sunil Ghanwat, Pujya Raghaveshwarananda Giri Maharaj, Pujya Rameshgiri Maharaj, Sadguru Satyavan Kadam, Mr Girish Shah and Mr Pradeep Tendolkar

Shirdi (Maharashtra) – In challenging circumstances, Saints have preserved the culture of temples. In the present times, Hindus visit pilgrimage centres, but if the sanctity of these places is destroyed, they ignore them. Spirituality should be within every breath and every drop of our blood. If Hindus remain inert about their Dharma, life will become difficult in the future. Despite transactions worth billions of Rupees, not a single mosque or church in India is under Government control. Places of worship of other religions are not controlled by the Government, but why are Hindu temples under Government control ? Therefore, Pujya Ramgiri Maharaj (Chief of Sadguru Gangagiri Maharaj Institution in Ahilyanagar) demanded that Hindu temples be freed from Government control. He was speaking at the opening day of the Third ‘Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad (Maharashtra Temple Trust Conference)’, organized by the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, Shri Jivdani Devi Sansthan, Shri Jyotirling Bhimashankar Devasthan, Shri Sai Palkhi Niwara, and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. Over 850 trustees, representatives, priests, lawyers fighting for the protection of temples, scholars, and others from across Maharashtra participated in this Conference.

The Conference began with a lighting of the ceremonious lamp by Pujya Ramesh Giri Maharaj of Shri Kshetra Bet Kopargaon (Maungiri Ji Maharaj Samadhi Temple), Pujya Raghaveshwaranand Giri Maharaj (Chief of Shri Kshetra Raghveshwar Devasthan), Sadguru Satyavan Kadam (of Sanatan Sanstha), Mr Girish Shah (President of Samasta Mahajan Sangh), Mr Pradeep Tendolkar (President of Shri Jivdani Devi Sansthan) and Mr Sunil Ghanwat (Coordinator of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh). Following this, Sadguru Satyavan Kadam read a message from Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale (Founder of Sanatan Sanstha), which said – “To truly bring Ram Rajya to India, it is essential for each temple to revive the temple culture necessary to protect the Nation & Dharma”.

Only through temples can we create a Nation-loving generation !

“About a month ago, I visited the Swaminarayan Temple in Abu Dhabi. The arrangements there were excellent; 10,000 to 20,000 pilgrims visit it daily. Additionally, knowledge about culture and values is imparted. In fact, this knowledge has always been with us. Books from ancient Universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila, along with our Vedas, Yoga, justice system, mathematics, and Ayurveda – all originated from our temple culture. In the ancient Indian culture, Hindu temples were the gurukuls and educational centers. What is the situation now ? We only claim that this temple is ours, but there is nothing around it. We need to come out of this situation. Temples must provide the facility to conduct 15 out of 16 sacramental rites. If rites such as Garbhadhan are conducted in temples, the future generations will grow up to be patriotic”, said Mr Girish Shah (President of Samasta Mahajan Sangh, Mumbai).

Protection of temples is the collective responsibility of Hindus !

“In the current scenario, proper management and preservation of Muths, temples, and Deities are the objectives of the Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad. Sanatan Sanstha is also working for this cause. All Hindus must set aside their personal interests. Temples are collective centers of worship for Hindus, where group prayers, bhajans, and recitations take place. Destruction of such temples is an attack on Hindu Dharma. Therefore, all Hindus should unite to raise the flag of Sanatan culture and work towards protecting temples”, appealed Pujya Ramesh Giri Maharaj of Shri Kshetra Bet Kopargaon (Maungiri Ji Maharaj Samadhi Temple).

The economy of this country stands on temples !

Mr Sandeep Singh (A scholar) said – “It is essential to understand that temples are not a means to earn but are centers of devotion. Temples are the backbone of our economy. While many industrial cities around the world are moving towards ruin, cities with pilgrimage centers such as Ujjain, Pataliputra, Rameswaram, and Kashi have remained alive for thousands of years because they were all dependent on the economy of temples. The economy of this country stands on temples”.

Temples should also take up the role of protecting Dharma besides imparting education on Dharma !

“Temples have played a significant role in transforming Hindu society from birth-Hindus to practicing-Hindus. Temples are the foundation of Hindu Dharma. Therefore, to protect Dharma, temples should do something as per their ability. This foundation will truly stand strong when temples take concrete steps to protect Dharma and spread awareness. If temples are to become centers that provide education on Dharma in the future, it is essential that they also take on the role of protecting Dharma”, said Sadguru Swati Khadaye (of Sanatan Sanstha).

Allow only Hindus to do business in temple premises !

Through the Waqf Board, non-Hindus have encroached on the lands of temples and Hindus. In many cases, Hindus have lost their temple lands. To combat this, the Mandir Mahasangh demands not just amendments to the Waqf Act but its complete repeal. Those who do not believe in Hindu Deities have shops in temple premises and sell offerings, flowers, etc. Moreover, they indulge in practices like spitting on goods, termed ‘Spit Jihad.’ Henceforth, during village fairs or festivals, we must ensure that shops of other religions are not permitted. Currently, the Akhada Parishad and Saints have taken the commendable decision to allow only Hindus to trade within the Kumbha Mela area at this year’s Prayagraj Kumbha Mela”, said Mr Sunil Ghanwat (Coordinator of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh).

Unanimous demand by over 875 Temple Trustees for the Implementation of the ‘Anti-land grabbing’ Law

A unanimous resolution was passed to establish security committees in each temple. Additionally, 10 resolutions, including the immediate implementation of the ‘Anti-land grabbing’ Law to prevent illegal transfer of temple lands, were approved unanimously resounding to the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’. The Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad plans to meet the Hon’ble Chief Minister soon to present these demands, and State Employment Guarantee Minister Mr Bharat Gogawale has assured special support to this initiative.

The Conference was attended by over 850 temple trustees from across the State. All attendees resolved to establish an exemplary temple organisation in Maharashtra.

Unanimously approved resolutions

Organising weekly collective Aratis against encroachments on temples and their lands; Fast-tracking the cases of Kashi and Mathura pilgrimage centers in courts; Releasing all temples in the State from Government control and entrusting them to devotees; Announcing that funds offered by devotees in temples will not be used for development projects of the Government; Preventing illegal Government directives from the Charity Commissioner’s Office requesting for temple donations and ensuring that temple funds are used solely for religious purposes; Allocating significant budgetary provisions for the restoration of ancient temples that have historical importance in Maharashtra; Surveying and removing encroachments on temples located at pilgrimage centres, sacred areas, and forts; Promptly addressing the issue of ‘Class C’ temples not being upgraded to ‘Class B’ despite complete documentation; Issuing a Government notification to declare temple premises alcohol and meat-free zones; Deciding on providing monthly remuneration to temple priests in the State.

(For more, please visit : HinduJagruti.org)

To truly bring Ram Rajya to India, it is essential for temples to revive temple culture necessary to protect the Nation & Dharma !