Residents Protest Authorities Acquiring Temple Land

March 19, 2004

Manali, HP, INDIA (March 18, 2004) - Nestled in Himachal Pradesh,

the famous Dhungiri or Hidimba temple of Manali has become a subject

of controversy with local residents and authorities literally

fighting it out over the land's ownership.

The altercation began in 2001 when the temple's land was taken over

by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Hidimba temple had

been taken over by the ASI way back in 1967.

Residents allege that the acquisition of the temple's land by the

ASI has caused them a lot of inconvenience, and they have to seek

permission from ASI office in New Delhi before conducting even

routine religious ceremonies. "We have been facing a lot of problems

since this order has been passed. We need to ask for permission

before cutting any plant, but we ourselves do not want to disturb

the forest area and want to save it," said Tirath Ram, head priest

of the temple.

Tired of all the red-tapism, around 400 families, representing 3,200

voters, have submitted a representation to the government asking for

greater freedom to practise their religious ceremonies.

Local authorities too say that the adjacent land which has

inadvertently been brought under ASI jurisdiction, will soon be

restored to the people. "I think by some mistake some area around

the temple has also been brought under the jurisdiction of the ASI

but we will try to redeem the situation as soon as possible," said

R.D. Nazeem, Deputy Commissioner of Kullu- Manali.

Hidimba, a demon and wife of the mighty Bhima of the Hindu epic

Mahabharata has been deified and is worshipped in this area. Hidimba

Devi is today worshipped as the "Goddess of the Valley", and the

present-day Hidimba Temple was built in 1550 by Maharaja Bahadur

Singh.

The four-storeyed temple with a pagoda-shaped roof is best known for

its intricate wood carvings that cover the pillars and door posts,

and is considered as a site of national and international

importance. Each year during the month of May, thousands from all

across India congregate to worship the Goddess.(ANI)

Source: WebIndia123.com

id=33824&cat=India

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