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The State Muzarai department, which has recently woken up, following a complaint from devotees, has started the process of taking over a temple, which originally belongs to it.

Tahsildar V Manjunath, accompanied by other officials, visited Puradamma (Mula Chowdeshwari) temple here on Wednesday evening and removed the ‘hundis’ installed by a private committee. Muzarai department hundis have been installed in their place.
Thousands of devotees visit the temple, where the presiding deity is considered as the Shakthi Goddess for the taluk. They also perform animal sacrifice — hens, cocks, goats and sheep.

Last January, residents of Beekanahalli had submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner that one Somegowda, who manages the affairs of the temple, was fleecing the devotees.

Following the complaint, the Muzarai Commissioner visited the temple six months ago and verified the documents. The Deputy Commissioner also visited the temple twice later and directed the officials to take steps to take it over.

No priest

Tahsildar Manjunath said, the temple comes under the Muzarai department and there were documents to substantiate that one acre and 36 guntas of land had been granted for its maintenance.

“In 1987, the government sanctioned a monthly salary of Rs 380 for the priest. Now, the salary amount stands at Rs 12,000 per month. The salary is being returned to the government as there has been no priest over the past several years,” he said.

Replying to a query over the standing of the present committee, the tahsildar said, the present committee has managed the temple as the Muzarai department had neglected it.

Now, a new committee would be constituted in consultation with the local people and devotees. “However, the customs and traditions will not be changed.

The management will be carried out in consultation with the devotees.

A survey of the land belonging to the temple will be carried out.

All developments will be brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner. Further action will be taken on his direction,” he said.

When his attention was drawn towards animal sacrifice that is rampant in the temple, he said, there will not be an immediate ban, but steps will be taken to gradually eradicate it. “We cannot hurt the feelings of the devotees.

A ban on animal sacrifice would be faced with resistance. So, awareness should be created against animal sacrifice with the help of religious leaders and people’s representatives before taking any steps in this direction. The process would take time,” he said.