'Adopt Tirupati model at Chamundeshwari Temple'

Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi, on Saturday, directed the authorities of Chamundeshwari Temple, atop the Chamundi Hill, to adopt Tirupati model to perform rituals at the temple during deaths at Chamundi Hill village.

In a meeting organised to resolve the difference of opinion among the temple priests and Muzrai department, on the temple premises, the Upa Lokayukta asked the authorities to gather the opinion of the villagers in a gram sabha to adopt the Tirupati model, instead, of closing the temple during a death in the village.

It may be mentioned that the temple remains closed if a person dies in the village. The rituals are performed only after the final rites are complete. The main door of the temple remains closed and the entry to the devotees is provided from the other side. "There is no house without death. Due to the closure of the temple, the devotees are inconvenienced. In Tirupati, the place adjoining the temple has been re-notified to resolve the problem," said Adi.

Temple priest Shashishekara Dixit informed that a majority of the devotees book pujas online and if the temple remains closed due to an emergency, the devotees are inconvenienced. "The final rites should be completed before 2 pm and the bodies should be directly taken to the burial grounds," he said.

According to sources, there was a mixed response to the Upa Lokayukta's suggestion.

No change in puja method

Adi also warned the priests and the paricharakas (other staff) of initiating legal action if the norms are violated.

The priests and the paricharakas should perform their work as per the norms. Every temple has it's own tradition and celebration. The puja method need not be changed in the Chamundeshwari Temple. The doors of the temple should be opened between 4.30 am and 5.30 am, he said.

Justice Adi said that there are complaints that unauthorised people are working in the temple. Only authorised persons should bring water from Devi Kere to perform puja. The theerta of the temple has its own sanctity and no one should taint it, he warned.

Questioning about the purpose of hundis (offerings box), Adi said, there is no mention of hundis in the law and theology. He asked, for what purpose are the hundis placed in the temples?

Deputy Commissioner D Randeep, Commissioner for Religious Endowment C P Shylaja, Executive Officer of the temple Prasad, and Muzarai Tahasildar S N Yatiraj were present.