The second Conference starts with great enthusiasm at Ozar (Pune Dist.) with the participation of more than 550 temple representatives

Take an oath to protect Muth-Temples and Sanatan Dharma till the last breath ! – Mahant Sudhirdas Maharaj, Shri Kalaram Mandir, Nashik

Ozar (Dist. Pune) – A temple priest must know that he has a huge responsibility to preserve the sanctity of a temple; therefore, rituals have to be performed as per the Dharmashastra. In 1760, Abdali, an Islamic invader, attacked India when the Naga Sadhus fought with all their might to protect the temple in Mathura. Ten thousand Naga Sadhu sacrificed their lives in this fight. It is our ancient history of fighting for the protection of Dharma. Later, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj also fought with Aurangzeb to protect Hindu Dharma and temples. We should, therefore, remember that we are born for the mission of protection of Dharma. Take an oath to protect our Muth-temples and Sanatan Dharma till our last breath, appealed Mahant Sudhirdas Maharaj, the priest of Shri Kalaram Mandir, Nashik during ‘Maharashtra Mandir-Nyas Parishad (Conference)’.

The second such Conference is being jointly held by Shri Vighnahar Ganapati Mandir Devasthan, Lenyadri Ganapati Mandir Devasthan, ShriKshetra Bhimashankar Devasthan, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh at Shri Vighnahar Hall, Ozar, District Pune on the 2nd and 3rd of December 2023. More than 550 temple representatives are attending this Conference. 

 
Mr Babanrao Mande, the present Trustee of Shri Vighnahar Ganapati Mandir Devasthan at Ozar first welcomed the participants; followed by Mr Sunil Ghanwat, the State Coordinator of Mahasangh presenting a report on the activities undertaken so far by Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh. Mr Ghanwat said that presently, the temple-trustees Conference has expanded to the State level. With the active participation of trustees, the next Mandir-Nyas Conference would have to be held at the national level. A few days ago, fanatic extremists forcibly entered Kanifnath Devasthan in Guha, Ahilyanagar, and beat up devotees. Earlier, there was nobody to look after temples’ interests. Now, temple trustees have united and in the future, problems related to temples will be solved through the medium of such unification.

Even science has to accept defeat when Deities are not revered ! – Mr Ramesh Shinde 

Mr Ramesh Shinde, the National Spokesperson of HJS said on the occasion, “Science has to accept defeat when Deities are not revered. Its latest example is the rescue operation of 41 workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand. The temple of Baba Baukh Naag was demolished while the tunnel was constructed, but it was not restored even after 3 years. Arnold Dix, an international tunnel expert who came from Australia for the rescue work, prayed to Baba Baukh Naag with total surrender before starting the evacuation work. Only then, the work was successfully carried out; so, even the scientists had to surrender to God. Article 25 of the Indian Constitution confers the freedom to follow any religion, and Article 26 confers the freedom to manage religious activities. Supreme Court has passed a judgment against the Government’s taking over temples; still, the State Government is controlling Hindu temples. We will have to intensify our fight against the Government managing temples. Temple trustees should render service like Bharat, who managed the kingdom of Ayodhya.

Temple’s original structure has to be preserved while developing the site – Vilas Vahane, Dy Director, Maharashtra State Archaeology Department 

It is necessary to preserve the original structure of a temple while developing the site. It is also essential to study the style of construction before undertaking repairs or restoration of a temple. Fixing tiles in the temple blocks the air from going to the original stones, and they start eroding. Presently, Idols are coated with chemicals, which is wrong. Conservation of any temple should be carried out without causing harm to the original temple and the Idol of the presiding Deity. Only then, God’s presence can be experienced in that temple, stated Mr Vilas Vahane, Dy Director of Maharashtra State Archaeology Department.

There were deliberations on the topic of good management of temples, problems faced by temple priests, and solutions to the problems, during the afternoon session. In the following session, Mr Nilesh Khare, the Editor of ‘ZEE 24’ spoke on ‘Temple and Media Management’ and Mr Dilip Deshmukh, the former Charity Commissioner spoke on the topic ‘Coordination between Charity Commissioner’s Office and Temples’.

The event was started with the lighting of the lamp by Mr Babanrao Mande, a Trustee of Shri Vighnahar Ganapati Devasthan, Ozar; Mr Shankar Tamhane of Shri Lenyadri Ganapati Devasthan Trust; Mr Madhukar Gawande, the Executive President of Shri Jyotirlinga Bhimashankar Devasthan; Yogi Mavjinath Maharaj of Siddha Garibnath Muth, Tuljapur; Mahant Sudhirdas Maharaj of Shri Kalaram Mandir, Nashik; Sadguru Nandkumar Jadhav, Dharmapracharak of Sanatan Sanstha; Shri Shaktiji Maharaj, Pithadhishwar of Shri Mahakali Shakti-Pith Amaravati; and Mr Ramesh Shinde, the National Spokesperson of HJS. Messages sent by Sadchidanand Parabrahman Dr Jayant Athavale, the founder of Sanatan Sanstha, and Jagadguru Narendracharyaji Maharaj, Ratnagiri were read out on the occasion. Sanatan Panchang 2024 (Android and IOS) App was also released by the participating dignitaries on the occasion; besides the release of a book titled ‘Yogeshwar Shrikrushna’ authored by Mr Durgesh Parulkar.

Message of Sachchidananda Parabraham (Dr) Jayant Athavale, Founder of Sanatan Sanstha, on the occasion of State level Mandir Parishad

Devotees, realise that it is the work of religious organisations to liberate the temples from the Govt control

My namaskar to all the temple representatives present at the Maharashtra Temple Trust Council ! The temple is called ‘Devasthan’ as Deities reside in the temple. During the regular puja, abhishekam, etc. in the temple, as well as during the aarti, the Chaitanya of the Deity is emitted. Hence, temples are the spiritual source of Chaitanya for Hindus. Many people experience peace of mind after visiting temples. For this, the sanctity of the temples must be maintained.

Nowadays, the Government is taking over temples citing reasons like ‘management’ and ‘appropriation of funds’. Government representatives, public representatives etc. have been appointed as ‘trustees’ at all the important temples. One never hears of Government administrators being appointed or acquired over mosques or churches. When the Government representatives take over the temples, customs and traditions are banned. There is corruption in received donations. Other religion’s employees are hired. If this vicious cycle is to be stopped, devout Hindus must take the initiative to free temples from Government control. Devotees note that it is the work of the religious organisations to liberate the religious temples from the control of the Government !

Participating dignitaries – Mr Ganesh Kavade (President of Shri Vighnahar Ozar Ganapati Mandir) Ha. Bha. Pa. Manik Maharaj More and Ha. Bha. Pa. Purushottam Maharaj More (descendants of Jagadguru Saint Tukaram Maharaj, Dehu), Mr Santosh Thorat (Kisan Morcha – District President of BJP from Manchar, Pune), Mr Jitendra Bidwai (President of Shri Lenyadri Devasthan), Advocate Suresh Kaudare (President of Shri Bhimashankar Mandir), Mr Digambar Mahale (Shri Mangal-Grah Devasthan) and temple trustees of various temples coming from all over Maharashtra; Sanatan Sanstha’s Dharmapracharak Sadguru Swati Khadye and H.H. (Mrs) Manisha Pathak blessed the event with their auspicious presence.