Temples should become centres of education on Dharma

Editorial

On 9^th February 2025, elections were held in 220 temples across Goa to elect new Temple Management Committees. Although this election did not have the same aura and format as political elections, Police were deployed in some temples since there were disputes between groups.

The ‘Temple Control Act’, which was enacted in Goa in 1933 during the Portuguese rule, is applicable to all temples across Goa. In the meantime, the Government considered amending this Act; but for reasons unknown, it did not materialise. According to this Act, the Temple Committee elected by the Temple Mahajan (Devotees, whose Family-Deity is the Temple Deity) looks after the affairs of the temple. Unlike Maharashtra, the temples in Goa have not been taken over by the Government. Therefore, the property or money of the temples here remains with the Temple Committee. Only the Administration is monitored by the Government.

Temples that were built from scratch

Most temples in Goa are very spacious and clean compared to the temples in other States. Some old famous temples even own land. The income from these lands goes to the temples. The history of some famous temples in Goa is exciting. The Portuguese ruled Goa for 450 years. When they started settling, they first demolished Hindu temples. The temples in Tiswadi (Panaji and surrounding areas) Taluka were targeted first. Seeing this cruelty of the Portuguese, Hindu devotees from other places became alert. They moved the Idols and Deities in their temples across rivers to places where the Portuguese did not have control or using stone or metal moved the divinity in those Idols to safe place. Some people hid the Idols in wells and later reinstated them by building temples in safe places at the right time. Most of these relocated and reinstated temples  are standing tall today. Temples that only had a sanctum sanctorum for the Idol and a pavilion for sitting in front, have now expanded considerably. The premises of temples now have a hall on the side, rooms for the Mahajan to stay, the Temple Committee office, and store rooms. Of course, the Mahajan and servitors of these temples have contributed a lot to their prosperity. While flourishing, these temples have also maintained their sanctity by following all the traditions and religious rituals. Just as a few temples in Maharashtra had to abandon some traditions and rituals due to the influence of rationalists (nay, ‘backwards’), the temples in Goa have not yet experienced such a situation.

There are some temples in Goa where there are disputes between communities over honour. It is okay for someone to feel that they should get the honour of performing the Palkhi (Palanquin) ritual of the Deity or some other service; but to feel that it is their right to get that honour is arrogance. Therefore, if there is going to be a fight between communities, it should be avoided. In some places, even the traditional rituals of the Deity have been stopped due to such conflicts. Everyone concerned should contemplate on whether the Deity will like this.

Glorious Temples in Goa

Seeing the current splendour of the temples, some famous people in Goa have expressed their opinions about what should the new Temple Committees do next. Among them, Datta Damodar Nayak, who says, ‘Muths and temples swindle money. I do not give them money’, is not far behind. He says, ‘The Temple Committees can do a lot of social work. They should start schools and colleges, and build crematoriums in villages.’ When Datta Nayak does not contribute in any form to the temple fund, what right does he have to advise Temple Committees about the utilisation of the funds ?

A Deity gets offerings from devotees and the Mahajan of the Deity as per their capacity. Offerings to the Deity in the form of donations thus gives the donor some spiritual experiences. Therefore, the Mahajan, Kulavis (Designated servitors of the Deity) and devotees donate regularly. The money collected at the temples is donated by the devotees or Mahajan willingly. Therefore, Datta Nayak’s calling the Muths and temples swindlers is his ignorance.

The temples incur expenses for religious rituals throughout the year, priests’ salaries, water and electricity bills, cleaning services, painting, etc. Some temples also do social work. Considering the needs of the present times, temples should become centres of education on Dharma. Due to the Macaulay-inspired education system, education in English, blind imitation of westerners, etc.,  Hindu society is deprived of education on Dharma, such as knowledge of Hindu culture, abiding by Dharma, education of the Vedas, and so on. Due to lack of education on Dharma, Hindus do not celebrate Hindu religious and Holy festivals as prescribed by the Scriptures. Thus, irregularities have entered religious and Holy festivals as well. Most of the present society and the future generations are deprived of the Holy thoughts of the Saints; the inspiring stories of Maryada Purushottam Shriram, Shrikrushna, etc. If the temples take the initiative to provide education on Dharma, society will not only be educated, but will also start performing spiritual practice.

India is the only country that has spiritual tradition as its identity which is respected across the entire world. This spiritual glory of India is maintained due to the Saintly individuals in every District of this country, and  many Divine souls living in the Himalayas performing spiritual practice. In the past 1,400 years, India has been invaded by foreigners such as the Mughals, Portuguese, British, etc.; but they could not erase the culture here. Spirituality is the backbone of Indian culture. Therefore, preserving this Divine culture is the need of the hour.

The present society is educated, but not civilized. The education being imparted presently is job-related and lacks ethics. Therefore, cheating by luring for jobs, getting deceived by greed for jobs, losing one’s belongings in the pursuit of earning more and fast money, corruption, etc. are common occurrences. If society gets education on Dharma, it will become civilized, which will in turn help in solving many problems the country faces today. This is a task aimed at social welfare, and temples can do a good job of providing education on Dharma. May the new Temple Committees have this wisdom !

If society gets education on Dharma, it will become civilized, which will help in solving many problems the country faces today !