Bengaluru : Our kings and emperors constructed temples. From the Kadamba dynasty to the Vijayanagara rulers, and even the recent Mysore Maharajas, thousands of temples were built and many destroyed temples by invaders were restored. However, today, temples have come under the control of a “Secular” government, leading to issues such as governmentalization, corruption, the entry of non-Hindus into temples, encroachment of temple lands by the Waqf Board, VIP darshans for money, grabbing temple land, and also increased thefts in temples.
In such times, protecting temple culture has become the responsibility of Hindu society. Addressing the issues faced by temples, providing essential facilities for devotees, and safeguarding temple traditions require the collective efforts of all trustees, priests, and devotees. To address this, the Karnataka Mandir Mahasangh and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti organised the ‘Karnataka State Second Temple Convention’ on January 4 and 5, 2025, at Gangamma Thimmaiah Convention Center in Bengaluru. Over 1,000 temple trustees, representatives, priests, and lawyers advocating for temple protection across the state would participate, Shri Mohan Gowda, State Coordinator of the Karnataka Mandir Mahasangh, addressed during the press conference.
The press conference was attended by notable personalities, including R.P. Ravishankar, President of Arya Vaishya Mahasabha, advocate Harsha Mutalik, Dr. Raghavendra Bhat, State President of the Akhila Karnataka Brahmin Archakas and Purohits Parishat, K.S. Sridhar, President of Shriram Seva Mandal, Shri Sunil Ghanavat, National Coordinator of the Mandir Mahasangh and Shri Guruprasad Gowda, State Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
Shri Mohan Gowda continued stating that the ‘Karnataka State First Temple Convention’ was successfully conducted in Bengaluru on December 16, 2023. Similar conventions were held in Goa and Maharashtra. Since then, the activities of the Mahasangh have grown significantly and reaching nationwide. Over the past two years, the Mahasangh has implemented dress codes over 250 temples across Karnataka and organized together more than 15,000 temples across the country.
Shri Sunil Ghanavat, the National Coordinator of the Mandir Mahasangh, stated that the Mandir Mahasangh operates on the basis of five core principles which includes Organizing temple trustees, Efficient temple management, temple security, to build coordination between temples and the community Transforming temples into Centers for Propagation of Sanatana Dharma.
Stating “The construction of the Ram Mandir has been successfully completed, but over 4 lakh temples across the country, including prominent ones in Kashi and Mathura, are still under government control. The primary objective of the Mandir Mahasangh is to free these temples from government control and hand over their management to devotees.”He emphasized that the Mahasangh is working with this mission and is dedicated to achieving the liberation and revitalization of temples across the nation.
Shri. Guruprasad Gowda highlighted that prominent figures such as Shri Swayamprakash Sachchidanand Saraswati Swamiji of Hariharapura Math, former Commissioner of the Religious Endowment Department Shri. Nandakumar IAS, senior advocates Arun Shyam and Pramila Nesargi, and Shri Abhinav Shankar Bharati Mahaswamiji of the Sringeri Kudali Math would participate in this convention.
The convention will include discussions on topics such as To free temples from government control, Restricting non-Hindus from entering temples, Transforming temples into centers for promoting Sanatana Dharma, Addressing encroachments and land grabbing of temple properties through the Waqf Act, Prohibiting liquor and meat in the vicinity of temples and pilgrimage sites, Renovation of neglected temples.
This convention is only to whom we have invited. Those who are interested to participate we request you to contact-7204082609 for further. Additionally, the event would be live-streamed for all Hindus on Hindujagruti.org/Kannada website.
