Temple Conference held in Dapoli on behalf of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh!

Effective unity of trustees vowed to protect Devasthans from State seizure

Dapoli, Maharashtra – In the year 2007, the then government had initiated the legal process to take control of approximately 4 lakh temples in Maharashtra through an order, however, because the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti fought a state-wide battle by bringing together temple trustees, devout Hindu organisations, and sects, the then government had to withdraw that order. Even now, the Maharashtra Government has stayed the proposed law, the ‘Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Abolition Draft Act 2026’, and this is solely due to the opposition being mounted by the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh through temple trustees; however, this danger has not passed completely. The government is ours, but even more than that, Devasthans and temple culture are closer to us. Therefore, if temple culture and Devasthans are to be kept safe, effective unity among trustees is essential, stated Shri. Ramesh Shinde, National Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Guide of the Mandir Mahasangh. He was speaking at the Temple Conference organised at the Shri Mahalakshmi Temple in Jalgaon-Brahmanwadi, Dapoli Taluka. On this occasion, 85 temple trustees from Dapoli, Mandangad, and Khed talukas were present.

The programme commenced with the sounding of the conch shell (Shankhanaad). The proceedings were compered by Shri. Paresh Gujrathi of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. The introductory speech was delivered by the District Organiser of the Mandir Mahasangh, Shri. Suresh Shinde.

At the beginning, the dignitaries on the dais were honoured with a shawl, a coconut (Shriphal), and a garland. Sanatan’s Dharmapracharak Sadguru Satyawan Kadam was honoured by Shri. Sudhir Salvi, President of Ladghar village in the taluka; key speaker Shri. Ramesh Shinde was welcomed by Shri. Chandrakant Ujal of the Samiti, Dapoli Taluka Coordinator of the Mandir Mahasangh Shri. Suresh Rewale was welcomed by Shri. Sunil Bhosale, a trustee of the Bijghar Devasthan in Khed Taluka and Shri. Suresh Shinde of the Mandir Mahasangh was welcomed by Shri. Anant Shinde of the Takede Devasthan in Mandangad Taluka.

Ramesh Shinde said that:

1. In the government’s proposed Devasthan Inam Abolition Act, the Waqf Board has been excluded despite possessing lakhs of acres of land, and the power to seize the land of Hindu Devasthans has been given what kind of secularism is this?
2. The government has stayed the Devasthan Inam Abolition Act, however, the law has not been scrapped. Therefore, one should not live in the illusion that the law will not be enacted now. A maximum number of temple trustees should run campaigns against this law.
3. The religious traditions are being disrupted in the temples that are currently under government control. It has been exposed that large-scale corruption is taking place regarding God’s wealth, gold, silver, and land. A court battle is ongoing in that regard.
4. To ensure that nobody encroaches upon Devasthan land, the Mandir Mahasangh has been demanding the government for the past year to implement the ‘Anti-Land Grabbing Act’ in Maharashtra. This law has been implemented in Gujarat state since 2023. This law is implemented in Maharashtra, but only for the protection of Waqf Board land! Therefore, every temple and trustee must make efforts to run a signature campaign everywhere so that the ‘Anti-Land Grabbing Act’ is implemented in Maharashtra for Hindu temples as well.
5. We must not remain silent while the name of the Devasthan is being erased from the Devarahati 7/12 extract of the Devasthan and the name ‘Government of Maharashtra’ is being applied. We must be alert regarding temples and Dharma.

Preserving the rich heritage of temples is our duty! – Sanatan’s Dharmapracharak Sadguru Satyawan Kadam

Preserving the rich heritage of temples is our duty. In ancient times, temples were centres of Dharmashikshan (education on Dharma). Therefore, forgetting all differences, Hindus used to unite through temples. Turning those who are Hindu by birth into Hindus by actions (Karmahindu) used to happen through temples. It is precisely due to the lack of Dharmashikshan for Hindus that their behaviour has become like tourists when coming for Darshan at temples today. Realising these problems, Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti conduct free Dharmashikshan classes. By putting up Sanatan-made Dharmashikshan posters in temples, the science of Dharma (Dharmashastra) will reach the devotees through them. Our faith will be strengthened through Dharmashikshan. For this, temples must become centres of Dharmashikshan.

Expressions of intent (Manogat)

1. Shri. Anant Shinde, Tekade and Shri. Ramesh Shinde, Surle, Taluka Mandangad: Public awareness on these topics must be raised in every village. We will reach up to 120 villages in the taluka.
2. Shri. Rajesh Dusar, President – Shri Bhairi Temple, Murud: Today, girls are opposed in some schools for wearing bangles and applying tikli (bindi); we must be alert regarding this.

Special Notes:

1. In the discussion that took place after the topic presentation, the trustees sought solutions for problems related to Devasthans.
2. The Board of Trustees of the Shri Mahalakshmi Devasthan provided all arrangements for this event.
3. The President of the Devasthan and core committee member of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, Shri. Ramesh Kadu, and the Vice-President of the Devasthan, Shri. Suresh Rewale, made significant contributions to the propagation and planning of the Temple Conference.
4. Shri. Laxman Gurav of Gavhe, Shri. Deepak Ware of Shirkhal, Shri. Sadanand Satle of Murud, Shri. Nitin Shinde of the Hanuman Temple in Dapoli, Shri. Avinash Pradhan of the Sriram Temple, Shri. Mahesh Kadam of Kudawale, Shri. Srirang Rane and Shri. Ramchandra Bhosale of Mandangad, and other trustees were present.