United fight is necessary for the protection of Devasthanams : Shri Hari Narayana Das Asranna

One-day Temple Conference held at Mangaluru

Photo Caption : (From left) Mohan Gowda, lighting lamp are Jitakamanandaji, Shri Krishna Sampigethaya, Shri Hari Narayana Das Asranna and H. H. Ramananda Gowda

Mangaluru (Karnataka) – “Devasthanam (temple) is significant for the protection of Hindu Dharma. Devasthanams are, however, managed as per the Government policies when they are controlled by a Government. Governments are ruling over Hindu Dharma through the medium of the Charitable and Religious Trusts Act and causing harm to Hindu Dharma. If we don’t wake up now, soon ‘namaz’ will be read in Devasthanams; therefore, for our survival and sustenance, our unity is necessary. Let us come together and fight”, appealed Shri Hari Narayana Das Asranna, the priest at Shri Durgaparameshwari Mandir at Kateelu. He belongs to the family that has been serving as priest of this temple for generations. He was speaking at the Dakshin Kannada District-level temple conference held at Shriniwas Kalyan Mandap in the city on 26th January 2024. The conference was inaugurated by the lighting of lamps by H. H. Ramanand Gowda, Dharmapracharak of Sanatan Sanstha, Swami Jitakamanandji, President of Ramakrishna Muth, Shri Shrihari Narayana Das Asranna, Shri Krishna Sampigethaya from Shri Vishnu Murti Mandir and Mohan Gowda, State Coordinator of Karnataka Mandir-Muth and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh.

A question-answer session was held for temple trustees to get legal guidance. A group discussion was also held on how to get work done for issues related to temples in the local area. Decisions were taken about implementing a dress code in temples and displaying boards with matter imparting knowledge on Dharma.

Devasthanam should work for the protection of Dharma ! – Jitakamanandji

The role of Devasthanam should not be limited to performing religious rituals, but they should also work for the protection of Dharma. Programmes should be organised in Devasthanams for imparting knowledge of Dharma and traditions such as teaching ‘Bhagawadgeeta’, and ‘Vedas’ to children; playing traditional instruments should be taught, and through all these things, our culture will be conserved. In fact, I appeal to conduct programmes for imparting education of Dharma to locals.

Dharma, Rashtra, and society will become healthy and strong when Devasthanams become strong ! – H. H. Ramanand Gowda

Devasthanams are the most sacred places in Hindu Dharma. Devasthanams are the abodes of Deities and are charged with Divine energy. They are the pillars of Hindu Dharma. Devasthanams are the soul of Dharma, and Dharma is the soul of Rashtra. Rashtra is the soul of the society; therefore, Devasthanams should be strong as that will lead to strong Dharma, Rashtra, and society.

Dress code to be implemented in more than 100 temples in Dakshin Kannada District ! – Mohan Gowda

Temples are holy places in Hindu Dharma. Today, devotees enter the temples wearing Western clothes, resulting in a diminution of the holiness of the temples. More than 100 temples’ managements in Dakshin Kannada District have voluntarily agreed to implement a dress code in those temples.