Magh Shuklapaksha 4, Kaliyug Varsha 5115
Anti-Hindu Government temple management’s bullying in Sri Vitthal – Rukmini Temple, Pandharpur
Pandharpur (Maharashtra) : Consequent on verdict passed by Supreme Court, the management of Sri Vitthal – Rukmini Mandir at Pandharpur is completely under control of the State Government; therefore, the management appointed by the Government has started doing whatever they want. Every year, ‘Sri Rukmini Devi Vivah’ is celebrated in the temple during ‘Magh Shukla Pratipada to Magh Shukla Panchami’; but the Government has imposed certain restrictions on these celebrations.
Magh Shukla Panchami is the ‘tithi’ of ‘Rukmini Devi Vivah’. Every year, legend of ‘Rukmini – Vivah’ is narrated during this period of 5 days; followed with collective reading of holy text ‘Rukmini Vivah’ written by Saint Eknath Maharaj. Also various programs of devotional songs, lecture by Balyogi Maharaj from 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. and devotional music program by local artists are organized.
After the verdict passed by Supreme Court, the Temple management has refused to grant permission for organizing all these programs as the temple is now under total control of the Government. Permission has been granted to celebrate this program only on Magh Panchami, (this year on 4th February), between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon in Sri. Rukmini Mandir.
Hindus should realize that the Government which is imposing restrictions on the ceremony of ‘Sri Rukmini Devi Viva’ today, may impose restrictions even on ‘puja’ of Sri Vitthal tomorrow. They should, therefore, raise voice, in lawful manner, against this with unity and with the help of Warakaris. All temples under control of anti-Hindu Government will be released from clutches of the Government in Hindu Rashtra and will be handed over to devotees for managing.
Thousands of devotees will be deprived of such festival owing to Government’s decision ! – B. N. Utpat Maharaj, Pandharpur
‘Government’s decision to allow celebration of the festival of ‘Rukmini-vivah’ only for two hours on Magh Shu. Panchami instead of 5 days will deprive thousands of devotees of joining the festival. H. H. Ramchandra Shastri had donated substantial amount to temple management committee for construction of ‘darshan’ marquee expressing wish that ‘Rukmini- Vivah’ festival should be celebrated every year and accordingly, this festival is being celebrated for many years. The temple management has been taken over by the Government; therefore, rituals like ‘Mahapuja’, ‘Padya-puja’, ‘Tulsi-archan’, ‘kumkumarchan’, ‘prasad-grahan’ etc. performed for thousands of years have been stopped by the Government. Presently, other regular rituals are being performed during the day by ‘Utpat’ and ‘sevadhari’ without any charges; therefore, they are going on; else the Government would have stopped even these rituals.’
Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat
