Lucknow, 2015.11.29 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh government is all set to take control and develop famous Hindu shrines of Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan and Maa Vindhyavasini temple at Vindhyachal in Mirzapur district.
The draft is expected to be get the nod from the CM’s cabinet on December 1, which will later be passed in the next legislative session.
Built in 1860, Banke Bihari temple receives astronomical donations and offerings every year, especially around Janmashtami. A classic example of Rajasthani architecture, the three-storied temple has arches and pillars which makes it distinct. Likewise, the Vindhyawasini temple at Mirzapur, 70 kms from Varanasi, is one of the most revered Shaktipeeths for Hindu pilgrims.
The move of the state government is aimed at shedding its pro-Muslim image and to project itself as a “true secular party” thereby attracting voters from the majority Hindu community in the next Assembly polls scheduled for 2017.
Official sources here today confirmed that the Department of Religious Endowment has been working for the last one year on formalities to get the ownership of the two temples transferred from the caretaker trusts into its name. The department has now prepared the draft and is set to get it cleared by the cabinet next week.
It is learnt to have procured the Law Department for paving way the for the takeover of the shrines. The move was initiated after it surfaced that local priests often duped pilgrims and usurped the donations and costly offerings and never used them for development of the shrine or provide facilities to visitors.
“There have been several complaints of irregularities as pilgrims are often duped by Pandas and are deprived of facilities. They obstruct pilgrims from easily having a darshan and exact hefty sums to facilitate the same,” claimed a senior official. He stressed that the transfer of ownership from the trusts to the government would help to ensure better amenities for pilgrims.
Sources claimed that the collection in the temples runs into several crore rupees every month but there is no record of where this phenomenal amount spent and is thus never known to anyone. In fact, some pandas and trustees are suspected of taking the support of professional criminals or politicians to grab the lion’s share of the collection. These so-called servants of the Deity do not hesitate to eliminate rivals to establish their hegemony over the temple.
Once the government takeover is complete, the approach roads to the two shrines would be broadened to ensure smooth ride for the pilgrims. Besides, special buses and tour packages for pilgrims will be started for facilitating darshan in groups.
Meanwhile, the religious bodies controlling the temples at present have opposed the government move and in Vrindavan have already started holding protests.
The post UP govt to take control of Banke Bihari temple appeared first on Vrindavan Today.