The resolve by the temple trustees during the ‘Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav’ in Goa

Now we will fight to make the temple area ‘Free from alcohol and meat’ !

Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh was established on February 5, 2023 during the Maharashtra Mandir Trust Parishad (Conference) held at Jalgaon, Maharashtra. Ever since, the mission of the Mahasangh is continuously on the rise. Dress code has been implemented in 131 temples in Maharashtra in just 4 months to protect temple culture. In addition to implementing the dress code in the temples, it was decided to make the temple area clean and spiritually pure. This would be achieved by making the temple premises free of meat and liquor. It was decided to fight legally for this cause during the meeting of the core committee of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh. This information was given by the coordinator of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh Mr Sunil Ghanwat. The meeting was held at the venue of the ‘Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav’ at ‘Shri Ramnath Devasthan’, Ponda, Goa. Along with this, various topics like ‘Temple Management’, ‘Temple Protection’ and ‘Liberation of temples from Government takeover and encroachment’ were discussed and brainstormed during the meeting.

Mr Ghanwat further added, “Various films are shot in the premises of temples of mythological and historical importance across the country. Sanctity of temples, dress code in temples and rules in temple premises are neglected during this filming period. Efforts will be made to see that these units comply with these rules by giving an appeal to various temples. Along with this, Pujari Sampark Abhiyan (Priest contact campaign) will be conducted from District level to village level. A decision to this effect about uniting the temple-priests was taken in this meeting.

The Waqf Board was established in 1995. Their employees have been given the status of Public servants. On the same lines, the Government should establish a Hindu Board for Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres and provide them special facilities. Along with this, legislation should be made for the use of the wealth of temples strictly for the cause of serving temples and Hindu Dharma. The Secular Government in India only tries to take over Hindu temples and take their wealth or change the ancient traditions of the temples; but they cannot bring mosques or churches under Government control. Therefore, the Government should free all the temples in the country from Government control. This demand was made by Mr Ghanwat at the time.

This meeting was attended by 40 dignitaries including secretary of Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh Mr Jayesh Thali, President of Jyotirlinga Shri Bhimashankar Devasthan in Maharashtra Adv. Suresh Kaudre, Secretary of Vidarbha Devasthan Committee Mr Anup Jaiswal, Former President of Maharashtra and Goa Bar Council Adv. Bharat Deshmukh, Mr Sharad Kulkarni of Mangal Grah Seva Sansthan, Adv. Abhishek Bhagat of Shri Bhawanimata Temple in Nagar, Trustee of Shri Brihaspati Temple in Nagpur Mr Ram Narayan Mishra and Mr Dilip Kukde of Sankatmochan Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir.