TEMPLES

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Dear Bhagavathottamas, We all have very well realised

that temples are central for the continuance of our traditions and cultural

heritage. Our acharyas have established beyond doubt that Lord, invited by us

('prathishta of deity is equivalent to this') is living along with us for our

benefit in the form of 'Archvatharam' which is similar to his performance in

Krishnavatharam. Swamy Deshikan has aptly put ' Aapeethaath mouli paryantham

pashyathaha Pusrushottamam, Pathakaanyaashu nashyanthi kimpunasthuupapathakam'

which means Lord exists in the form of archavatharam to help us see him and get

us rid of our sins. Unfortunately, today the existence of these institutions

are challenged by legislation 30/87 enacted by the late N.T.Rama Rao

Government in A.P. during 1987. This legislation along with abetting

administration and conniving vested interests have created irrepairable damage

to the institutions leading them to loss of their glories. There are about

31000 temples in Andhra Pradesh alone which are completely without daily

poojas. Excessive corruption, just like in any other govt. body has crept into

the temple administrations which have lead to progressive commercialisation of

religious activities. Darshan tickets which creates differences among devotees

before the lord is in itself a shame on our religious system. Over and above

this the corrupt authorities are rolling and re-rolling the same numbers so

that the collections are not really adding to the intended temple fund.

Websites sport a variety of arjitha sevas which are fantastically designed by

qualified MBAs to attract devotees. There is also vested interest involved

here. Strangely, it is only our hindu religious institutions which resort to

such methodology to generate funds. Other institutions world wide are

flourishing better with different means. Temples are places for selfless

service and not places to make money! Today money collected from the rich

temples of A.P goes to the Govt exchequer to pay hefty salaries to the

officials. Yet poor Archakas are left to fend for themselves. Many prime temple

lands have been auctioned for pittance and temples reduced to penury, while

crores of money and land have been eaten away by the land grabbers in

connivance with the authorities. Certain erstwhile pious temples have been

reduced to gambling dens where alcohol and meat too finds place. Thanks to the

anti-corruption bureau which brought to book some corrupt officials and

recovered crores from them. But thats only the tip of the ice-berg. Many nice

temples have slowly lost their art pieces and some of them even their utsava

moorthies and one can imagine the plight of priceless jewels and ornaments.

Having identified the tools of destruction of the pillars called 'temples' in

the form of the legislation and excessively conniving authorities and vested

interests, having singled out the pests, it is now time to strike with a heavy

and weighted iron hand in the form of an organised move to stop everything

which has been the offshoot of this legislation. As a first call for mass

protest, the Temple Protection Movement convened by Prof. Soundararajan has

requested all the devotees to refrain from buying tickets for various sevas in

all the temples. Its a month since this call has been given and there is a

great response from the devotees. Prof. Soundararajan, my father, has asked me

to communicate this widely to the Bhagavatottamas of the net and appeal for

their support. This is my first communique in an attempt to bring in awareness.

Sajjana Padapadma parama renuhuLakshmi Narasimha dasan

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