EFFACED LEGACY: (Clockwise frtop left): The prakara wall of the Vyagrapurisvara temple at Tiruppulivanam sans its frescoes that were sandblasted recently; one of the Chola frescoes as it existed, in a file image provided by the Archaeological Survey of India; pillars with sculptures at the temple, also sandblasted and disfigu 1,200-year-old Siva temple of the Pallava period at Tiruppulivanam village in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, has been wiped clean of its beautiful Chola-period paintings. The frescoes, about 975 years old, have been sand-blasted out of existence.
Ironically, at a seminar organised on the temple premises on August 27, 2007, archaeologists, epigraphists and artists had decided on measures to preserve the paintings and inscriptions in the temple.
Two 16-pillared mantapas are among the temple’s treasures that have been destroyed. One of the mantapas, which was commonly called ‘madapalli’ or kitchen, had Tamil inscriptions dating back to Kulotunga Chola III (1215 A.D.), the Telugu Chola Vijayakanda Gopaladeva, Rajanarayana Sambuvaraya and others. The other mantapa, called Alankara Mantapa, belonged to the 16th century Vijayanagara period.
This destruction has taken place during “renovation” that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department officials are undertaking. As part of this exercise, they plan to pull down a 100-pillared mantapa just outside the temple and “rebuild it.”
The Vyagrapurisvara temple at Tiruppulivanam, near Uttraramerur, 95 km from Chennai, was one of the three temples in Tamil Nadu where Chola paintings existed. The others where they still exist are the Brihadeesvara temple in Thanjavur and the Vijayalaya Cholisvara temple near Pudukottai.
Earthmover at work
In the main temple itself, sandblasting had been done on the southern, northern and western walls of the prakara, on the sculptures on pillars and on the ancient Tamil inscriptions — in violation of a State government directive against sandblasting for renovating temples. The inscriptions on the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum and the sculptures stand disfigured.
The temple existed during the reign of the Pallava king Nandivarman II in the 8th century A.D. The Rashtrakuta king Krishna III, the Chola kings Parantaka I, Rajendra I and Kulotunga I, the Sambuvaraya chieftain Rajanarayana and the Vijayanagara rulers added structures to it.
What stood out were the Chola frescoes, painted perhaps during the rule of Rajendra I, on the northern prakara wall. Dr. A. Padmavathy, retired Senior Epigraphist, Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department, said the paintings were of Siva as Tripurantaka (riding a chariot and armed with a bow and arrows to kill the demons of the three worlds) and Nataraja, and of Dakshinamurti, Narasimha, and Vishnu in “ananthasayana” posture. There were murals of Raja Raja Chola’s teacher Karuvur Thevar and of princes, princesses, dancing girls, ponds with lily and lotus flowers and wild animals. These frescoes do not exist today. The mantapas, one with ancient inscriptions, are gone.
When contacted, the temple’s executive officer, S. Senthil Kumar, of the HR & CE Department, said that “no paintings ever existed in the temple” and “no structure called Alankara Mantapa ever existed.”
He added that the ‘madapalli’ mantapa was demolished long before he took charge of the temple eight months ago. He said that “no sandblasting was ever done” and that only “water-wash and air-wash” were done.
However, informed sources asserted that the frescoes were sandblasted four months ago, the ‘madapalli’ mantapa demolished about six months ago and the Alankara Mantapa brought down a year ago.
Both India and America are secular democracies in the sense that both have constitutions that prohibit the government from establishing a state religion or interfering with religious organizations. But there the similarity ends. While America more or less scrupulously adheres to the separation of church and state, in India the picture is dramatically different.
Not too many Indians are aware that even though India is officially a secular democracy, state governments in India can take over Hindu temples and their properties, can appoint the people who will run temple committees and operations, and can take away hundi collections and other donations from temples and use them even for non-Hindu purposes. And they have been doing this for almost six decades now all over India.
Not too many Indians are aware that even though India is officially a secular democracy, state governments in India can take over Hindu temples and their properties, can appoint the people who will run temple committees and operations, and can take away hundi collections and other donations from temples and use them even for non-Hindu purposes. And they have been doing this for almost six decades now all over India.
Such government interference does not occur with churches or mosques or gurudwaras or other places of worship of non-Hindu faiths. They are left alone by the government, and are allowed to own and operate their institutions autonomously, without state interference. In secular India, with an 83% majority of her citizens being Hindus, Hindu temples are singled out for government control and management. A comparable analogy would be if the secular US government were to exercise full control over the finances and collection plates of Christian churches and dictate who could be ordained as a priest or minister, and dictate the hiring and firing of Church elders. That India’s state governments routinely indulge in such practices with regard to Hindu temples, but not with the institutions of other religions, is a telling commentary on the state of religious freedom and secularism in India today.
Status of Hindu Temples
This astounding fact of a supposedly secular government operating, selling the assets of, distributing the collections of, and in other ways imposing state control -- often with appointees who are non-Hindu, and even anti-Hindu, bureaucrats or politicians -- over Hindu temples, is directly responsible for the pathetic condition of many Hindu temples in India. Many magnificent, old temple buildings are deteriorating; and even the daily cleaning of the precincts is often neglected. Some temples don’t even have oil for their lamps because the paltry rupees the government promised when it took over the temple seldom come on time, and priests on miserly salaries are reduced to poverty and asking for money from devotees. These are all too common sights at many Hindu temples today.
While there are many causes for the problems faced by temples, chief among them is the misappropriation of temples’ lands and monies during the last century, starting even before our Independence. For instance, the British government in collusion with local leaders in Orissa took over the properties of the famed Puri Jagannath temple in 1878. Continuing the stance of the British regime and its proxies towards the appropriation and looting of Hindu temples, Indian politicians after Independence in 1947 concocted the fatally flawed, and the blatantly anti-secular, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act (HRCE Act) in 1951 to “provincialise the administration of Hindu Religious Institutions.” Under its aegis, variously amended and often challenged by Hindu groups over the years, the state governments have taken over thousands of temples, generally under the pretext of preventing “mismanagement” by Hindus. In other words, Hindus, and only Hindus, are not considered capable of managing their places of worship without government oversight.
Thousands of small and medium temples, in addition to nationally and historically important temples such as Jagannath in Puri, Tirupati, Kashi Vishwanath, Vaishno Devi, Shirdi, Guruvayoor, Chamundi Devi, Dattapeeth, Kali Mandir of Patiala, Amarnath, Badrinath, and Kedarnath, are already under government control, and have been so for decades in many cases.
Examples and Effects of Government Interference
The devastation caused to Hindu temples and other institutions, as a direct result and consequence of the HRCE act, can be illustrated by a few examples:
Maharashtra
- The famous Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Mumbai was “nationalized”, i.e. the state government took over its previously independent board of trustees, in 1981.
- Various political and government appointees have siphoned off crores of rupees out of the temple’s coffers. Some of this money is given out as ‘donations’ -- of Rs. 50 lakhs or more -- to other non-profit institutions, selected on the basis of political connections. These organizations may not serve Hinduism or Hindu devotees at all. Such donations continued even after the Bombay High Court issued a prohibitory order stopping them.
- During 2004-2005 alone, seven crore rupees were paid out to such beneficiaries out of the temple’s inflow.
- The government appointed trustees of this temple also spent over Rs. 24 lakhs of the temple’s money in two days on a lavish marketing event held at a seven star hotel to discuss how to promote temples as tourist attractions! In other words, the hard-earned money that devotees offer out of love and a sense of duty to a Hindu religious institution, is being used not for the benefit of the Hindu community, or to promote Hindu religious activities, but for other purposes.
Karnataka
- In 2002, from the 2,07,000 temples in Karnataka the government took in revenues of Rs. 72 crores, returned Rs. 10 crores for temple maintenance, and granted Rs. 50 crores for madrasas, and Rs. 10 crores for churches. The fundamental question to be asked is: Why is money from Hindu temples disappearing into government accounts in the first place, to be distributed to other third party interests, be it non-Hindu or otherwise? Why did only six crores make it back to the temples that generated the Rs. 72 crores?
- An estimated 50,000 temples have shut down during the last five years in Karnataka due to lack of resources.
- How can this happen if there is a surplus Rs. 66 crores of Hindu temple money in the hands of the government?
Andhra Pradesh
- Under the openly Christian evangelical regime of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. Samuel Rajsekar Reddy, the Tirumala Tirupati Devaswom (TTD) authority, which is controlled by his state, frontal assaults have been made on the very hills of the beloved temple of Lord Balaji in Tirupati.
- In March 2006, the government demolished a centuries old, 1000 pillar mantapam in the Tirumala complex.
- The state government has not denied a charge that 85% percent of revenues from the TTD, which collects over Rs. 3,100 crores every year as the richest temple in India, are transferred to the state exchequer.
- The non-temple use of this colossal amount of money is not fully accounted for by the government.
- Temple watchdog groups have alleged that the government has allocated Rs. 7.6 crores of TTD money towards repairs and renovations of mosques and churches in a recent year.
- JRG Wealth Management Limited, a Christian owned organization, was given a lucrative contract to procure materials for the prasadam that is given to temple devotees.
- On January 21, the Chief Minister announced the sponsorship, using TTD money, of a hockey tournament in his parents’ name.
- An attempt to take over five of the seven hills that belong to Lord Venkateswara, according to legal deeds, and hand them to Christian institutions, was thwarted last year only when Hindu religious leaders, under the aegis of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha united to lodge strong, and unprecedented, protests.
- TTD wealth is being distributed as gold bars “for the poor”, with no transparency as to who the “poor” are who will get the temple’s riches.
- There are plans to build a ropeway to the hills to make it a more appealing commercial tourist attraction.
- While owing the TTD Rs. 1,500 crores already from various earlier proceeds, the government is trying to take away another Rs 500 crores from TTD for state irrigation projects!
- There have been allegations of TTD appointees being non-Hindus, but these are hard to verify since many Hindus who convert to other religions keep their original names for various benefits.
- TTD's medical and educational institutions have also been turned into centers for proselytization by Christian missionaries.
- Elsewhere in Andhra Pradesh, out of 420,028 acres owned by temples in Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada, Guntur, Kurnool, Warangal, and Hyderabad, 60,843 acres were allowed to be occupied illegally by professional land grabbers. The state government, the inheritor of the responsibility under the HRCE Act to prevent such actions, did nothing to prevent these incursions, even though it has a staff of over 77,000 people (paid from a 15% charge on temple revenues) to look after temple interests.
- In August 2005, the state decided to sell 100,000 acres of the Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam and other nearby temples.
- On March 14, 2006, the government auctioned 3,000 acres of temple lands in East Godavari district. Proceeds from these sales rarely reach the temples, which have to depend on the same government for doles to light their lamps and pay their priests.
- 884 acres of endowment lands of the famous Sri Rama temple at Bhadrachalam have been allocated to Christian institutions by the current government.
- In Simhachalam, 300 acres belonging to the temple have been allocated for churches and convent schools, who even exercise an illegal authority to stop devotees from visiting the temple atop the hill!
- There is also an attempt afoot to take over the 500 year old Chilkur Balaji temple.
Kerala
· In Sabarimala, the forested hill with the famous temple of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala, 2,500 acres of temple property have been sold by the Communist government controlled Travancore Devasvom Board to a non-Hindu group. Even though this Board gets about Rs. 250 crores every year in income, it is almost bankrupt today, after years of government diversion of funds. Rs 24 crores from the Guruvayoor Devasvom have been spent on a drinking water project in ten nearby panchayats, which include 40 churches and mosques. Some of these non-Hindu places of worship have larger revenues than the Devasvom, but none of them have been asked to pay towards the project, even though their members will be beneficiaries.
· In Bihar, government control over the temples through its Hindu Endowments department has resulted, according to the Religious Trust Administrator, in the loss of temple properties worth Rs. 2000 crores.
More Government Control on the Horizon
While these tales of the terrible fate of Hindu temples under government control can be multiplied a thousand fold, and the collapse of the Hindu religious infrastructure as a direct result of government control can be documented in painful detail, it is more important at this point to pay attention to the even more ominous threats of assault that are now on the horizon.
The Maharashtra government, literally bankrupt due to profligacy (including an Indian Enron scandal of mammoth proportions) and bad economic policies, is moving forward with a bill that would enable it to take over the 4.5 lakh Hindu temples in the state. The outpouring of contributions to temples by millions of Hindus is seen as a huge cash flow opportunity by politicians of all stripes all around India. In Kerala, the communist state government has promulgated an ordinance on February 4, 2007 to disband the Travancore and Cochin Autonomous Devaswom Boards (TCDB) and usurp their already limited independent authority over 1800 Hindu temples. In Orissa, the NDA state government is on its way to sell some 70,000 acres of Jagannath temple endowment lands due to a financial crunch brought about by its own mismanagement of the temple’s assets. The BJP government in Rajasthan is planning to auction off temples and transfer their control to the highest bidders, even if they are from the other religions. Under the 'Apna Dham, Apna Kam, Apna Nam' scheme, a 30-year lease would be signed between the state government and private bidders on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, similar to national highway construction projects! Many other outrageous proposals of the same kind abound across many states.
Response from the Hindu Community
The Hindu community, after decades of apathy, disunity, and sporadic court fights to secure their rights to practice their religion without government control, has now belatedly woken up to address these fresh assaults. Local leaders have formed coalitions to take matters to court to prevent new takeovers and the sales of temple properties. The existence of the HRCE Act makes it an uphill legal battle to challenge and overturn the government’s stranglehold over Hindu temples and their assets. Recent court victories in Karnataka and Rajasthan are encouraging in this regard.
Online petitions and signature campaigns, often led by NRI Hindus who seem to be more aware and concerned about this issue than Hindus in India, have become a standard tool of the newly awakened Hindu community. Most of the mainstream media in India, especially the English TV and press, have a covert or overt anti-Hindu position, and stories of government atrocities against Hindu temples rarely make it into the news pages. Appeals often have to be made to the President of India himself for relief from open aggression against Hindu interests by state and district level government authorities. The collusion between missionary and communal forces and political parties hostile to Hindus, such as the communists and the Congress party, have further complicated the equation of elements that work against the religious freedom of Hindus. Thanks to blogs, websites, bulletin boards, and email forums that have recently sprung up, awareness about these issues is now starting to proliferate. Even as Hindu awareness grows, and the call for action mounts, the media and political parties are quick to slap on a Hindutva or fundamentalist label to discredit these grassroots efforts of Hindus to claim the same basic religious rights as Indian Christians and Muslims.
The attack on Hindu temples is an attack on the body and soul of Hinduism, because temples are the sacred and sanctified places where most Hindus practice their faith. Others may not understand our ways of worship, but to the practicing Hindu all deities represent the One Supreme Reality and Being in diverse ways and forms that make the divine accessible to all levels of religious and spiritual temperaments. The images of our gods and goddesses are not just stone or metal idols. They are profound symbols and splendorous representations of the One in its many manifestations, they are holy reminders of the divine being everywhere, they are aids to meditation and worship, and they are also ceremonially sanctified centers of spiritual energy and divine grace. Our priests should not be reduced to the status of government servants who have to depend on miserly salaries from the state that has usurped their traditional means of sustenance, and who are thereby forced to demand money, sometimes so aggressively, from devotees. Our acharyas should not be sidelined to being helpless observers even as the institutions they are vested with leading are being reduced to insolvency.
The Way Forward
Through the millennia, Hindus have found in their temples succor for all their religious and spiritual needs, and vital sense of community with their fellow devotees. The sanctity of temples is diluted by turning them into commercial tourist attractions, their integrity as Hindu institutions is compromised when non-Hindus, or anti-Hinduism elements, are allowed to run them, and their very survival is threatened when the money of devotees is taken away by government appointees or politicians and diverted to fund external causes.
Even if there had been some rationale for the HRCE Act to improve the administration of Hindu temples in the early days after India’s independence, the exclusive way that only Hindu organizations are so targeted is a blatant violation of the concept of secularism and the religious rights and freedoms of Hindus. If Hindu temples are mismanaged or corrupt, as often alleged to justify their takeover, the sad record of Indian state governments with regard to governance and corruption in general, and their sorry record with the temples they already control in particular, hardly makes them a better candidate to look after the welfare of yet more temples! If Hindu temples need better management, the communities which support them should form the independent bodies to do so. If the traditional administrations of our temples need revamping for modern times, such reforms and reorganization should be led by practicing Hindus and their leaders, and not by outsiders from the government or non-Hindu constituencies.
The diversion of the wealth of Hindu temples by the states in the first place, and their use to fund non-Hindu purposes, is a flagrant travesty of the principle of separation of religion and state. Government officials looking to take over and exploit yet more Hindu temples should instead consider appropriating some non-Hindu religious organizations first, to restore some balance and equality to their strange brand of secularism. If they dare not do so, they should immediately cease and desist from controlling Hindu institutions and liquidating their assets, even if there be misguided statutes that are in place that give them the legal right to do so. And full reparations should be made to all the temples that have been devastated over the decades through a combination of the HRCE Act and various land reforms that have selectively annexed only Hindu properties in so many states.
A major breakthrough towards obtaining the freedom of Hindu temples from government control has been made with the establishment of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha in 2003. The convener of the meeting, Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, emphasized the need for Hindu religious leaders to have one common, united voice to speak for Hindus and their institutions. 125 Hindu religious leaders -- peethadipatis, mathadipatis, jeers, acharyas, and mahamandaleshwars -- representing major traditions of Hinduism from all parts of India have since come together under this platform to free temples and other Hindu institutions from the clutches of the government. The Tirupati Declaration of 2006, spearheaded by the Sabha, was an effective voice to prevent various TTD malpractices and imminent anti-Hindu moves.
Currently the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha is pioneering a movement to challenge the constitutional validity of the HRCE Act and its derivatives, and to prevent further government incursions into Hindu religious affairs. Through the Forum for Religious Freedom (FRF), incorporated as a US non-profit organization, efforts are under way to support the Acharya Sabha with the financial resources needed to mount a legal challenge to overturn the HRCE Act, and to take other measures to prevent further annexation by the states of our religious infrastructure. The viability of Hinduism rests in the health and vitality of our temples. All Hindus should consider it their dharma – their duty and responsibility -- to make sure that this important mission of the Acharya Sabha is properly funded towards accomplishing this crucial objective.
The reverse discrimination against Hindus and our institutions by a supposedly secular government cannot be allowed to continue any more. The time has come to secure for the majority Hindus of India the same secular rights and religious freedom that the followers of all minority religions already enjoy.
Om
Sources:
Sources:
Sidhivinayak Temple, Bombay:
1. Litigation papers filed in Bombay High Court by Shri Keval Semlani, 2003.
2. Donations Fund the Temple Extravaganza!, Hindi Janajagruti Samiti, 2006.
Karnataka temples:
3. Nationalization of Hindu Temples, Sandhya Jain, Daily Pioneer, October 7, 2003.
Thousands of acres of temple lands have been encroached in the state. Because of this, many temples are in penury and don’t have adequate funds though they own land worth crores of rupees. None of the temples have proper land records and this has made it easier for politicians and influential persons to encroach upon them.
However, the endowments department said it had been giving top priority to the protection of temple lands by creating three special tribunals. The department is verifying all the records. "At present, the department controls 4.19 lakh acres of temple lands," said Mr Sundara Kumar, the endowments commissioner. "We are planning to purchase agricultural lands while disposing of commercial lands. This will give the temples more immovable properties and revenue generation will also become easy."
Mr K.V.S.R.N. Acharyulu, the secretary of the Archaka and Employees Welfare Trust, said that offerings of devotees were the only source of funds for small temples at present. "We have asked the government to focus on generating more revenue through non performing assets," he said. "It will also help archakas get a fixed income."
courtesy : Deccan Chronicle
A temple dedicated to the Sun God and having a number of old idols here, is close to losing its grandeur because of continued official apathy.
The temple has idols belonging to the 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th centuries and is visited by villagers and tourists with deep respect and revernce.
“I had heard a lot about this temple, as it is some years old. Such an idol was not even found in the sun temple in Konark as I visited that as well. I am more than happy to see this historical monument,” said Manish Mishra, a devotee.
Villagers today look after the temple. At times they collect funds for repair work.
Villagers are, however, annoyed with the tourism and the archaeological department of the state, as the authorities have hardly made any efforts towards the development of the temple.
Local residents also complain that despite the temple being a draw among tourists from different parts of the country, there is no provision for them to stay here. Neither there is any sitting arrangement nor for drinking water in the temple premises.
All these arrangement prove a major discouragement for tourists arriving here.
“It is sad that the entire authorities talk about tourism but do nothing. If we try and develop this temple people from all over the world would visit this temple. The entire money has been raised by villagers; the government has not given any funds except the money that the government gave to construct the four walls of the temple,” said Sudama Vishvakarma, the temple priest.
The absence of any security measures at the temple is also a major concern for all the local residents. As a result of which the Surya idol of the temple that holds a great historical value had been lost lost but later recoverd by the authorities.
The local authorities have perhaps learnt no lesson and done previous little for the temple. Perhaps, they are waiting for anything unexpected to take place.
Located in Turkpatti Village, the Sun Temple is about 18 kilometres from Kushinagar. It was built by the local villagers after a huge and exquisitively carved idol of Surya (the Sun God) made of black stone,was discovered while tilling a piece of land.
The temple has idols belonging to the 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th centuries and is visited by villagers and tourists with deep respect and revernce.
“I had heard a lot about this temple, as it is some years old. Such an idol was not even found in the sun temple in Konark as I visited that as well. I am more than happy to see this historical monument,” said Manish Mishra, a devotee.
Villagers today look after the temple. At times they collect funds for repair work.
Villagers are, however, annoyed with the tourism and the archaeological department of the state, as the authorities have hardly made any efforts towards the development of the temple.
Local residents also complain that despite the temple being a draw among tourists from different parts of the country, there is no provision for them to stay here. Neither there is any sitting arrangement nor for drinking water in the temple premises.
All these arrangement prove a major discouragement for tourists arriving here.
“It is sad that the entire authorities talk about tourism but do nothing. If we try and develop this temple people from all over the world would visit this temple. The entire money has been raised by villagers; the government has not given any funds except the money that the government gave to construct the four walls of the temple,” said Sudama Vishvakarma, the temple priest.
The absence of any security measures at the temple is also a major concern for all the local residents. As a result of which the Surya idol of the temple that holds a great historical value had been lost lost but later recoverd by the authorities.
The local authorities have perhaps learnt no lesson and done previous little for the temple. Perhaps, they are waiting for anything unexpected to take place.
A 15-year-old Hindu shrine has been demolished by the city authorities in Kuala Lumpur even after an order by the Territories ministry banning the destruction of any temple without allocating alternate site.
The latest demolition of a shrine in Taman Desa, Seputeh, on Tuesday has raged anger among the Hindu community, who are now asking questions to explain the demolition act, media reports said here on Wednesday.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) authorities had apparently issued a notice about the action to be taken in October and pasted the message on the temple's wall, reports added.
The notice was not handed over to the shrine authorities.
Leading ethnic Indian leader and President of the Malaysian Indian Congress, Samy Vellu, has asked the city authorities to explain their action and has warned of personally taking up the matter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Deputy Federal Territories Minister M Saravanan said he was upset over the demolition and would meet Federal Territories minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique on Wednesday.
"I have an understanding with the Federal Territories Minister that no existing temples would be demolished unless an alternative site has been given. If there was any development on the land, then the temple would be relocated," he said.
Multi-religious and multi-ethnic Malaysia has a eight per cent ethnic Indian population a majority of whom are Tamil Hindus.
Saravanan has asked Hindus to give the ministry a day or two before the issue could be resolve amicably.
Justice Ramesh Ranganathan of the APHC 
directed the endowments department to produce records available with the assistant commissioner pertaining to land belonging to Subrahmanyeswara Swami temple in Lakshimi Polavaram village in East Godavari district.Ms G. Luthiamma, wife of the minister for small-scale industries, Mr G. Surya Rao, purchased the land in an auction conducted by the endowments department.Stay vacated on project
The HC vacated the stay on the acquisition of 56 acres in Eluru for the establishment of Autonagar by the APIIC. The Revenue authorities were earlier asked not to displace them.
Port projects to continueA division bench comprising Chief Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice R. Subhash Reddy disagreed to suspend the operation of the orders issued by the government for the establishment of Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Ports and Industrial Corridor (Vanpic) in Guntur and Prakasam districts.
HC notice to babu
A division bench comprising Justice Ghulam Mohammed and Justice Sanjay Kumar issued notice to IAS officer Vinod K. Agarwal on a petition filed by the inspector of surveys, Mr G.L. Gnaneswara Rao.
Mr Rao alleged that the official failed to implement the orders passed by the AP Administrative Tribunal.
courtesy: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/City/Citynews.asp
Tirupati, Dec 24: Sleuths of the Anti- Corruption Bureau on Wednesday raided the house of Mr K. Nagaraju, the education officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devathanams, and found assets worth over Rs Seven crore.
The deputy superintendent of police (ACB), Mr Ch. Srirama Chandra Rao, said the official has two houses in Tirupati apart from five residential plots in the town. Documents also revealed that he was in procession of two plots in Bengaluru and 22 acres at Gudimallam near Tirupati.
Eighty tolas of gold and four kg of silver were also seized. A case under "holding assets disproportionate to the known sources of income," has been registered.
courtesy :deccanchronicle Chidambaram (PTI): It was an end of an era in the 1500-year-old Chidambaram temple with the Madras High Court rejecting the plea that it was a private temple, paving way for direct state administrative control.
The centuries-long hold of Podhu Dikshitars on the temple, a small well-knit Brahmin community which believes that its forefathers have directly descended from Lord Shiva's abode Mount Kailas to administer the Chidambaram temple, has finally ended last week following an order of the Madras High Court after a prolonged legal battle.
Justice R Bhanumathi's order rejecting the plea of the 3000-strong Dikshitars community that the 5th century AD temple was a private one and they had 'untrammelled rights', paved the way for direct administrative control of the state government. She upheld the appointment of an executive officer to administer the temple.
The temple with its four imposing towers rising 175 feet above the ground has a unique place in Hindu mythology as it holds the key to 'Chidambara rahasym' (secret of Chidambram). A small corner next to the idol of Lord Nataraja has a curtain with a golden garland in the shape of 'bilva' leaves, which according to scholars, is an example of permeating omnipresence of God.
Dikshitars who were not willing to give up their traditional hold on the temple have gone in for an appeal to the larger bench of the High Court.
C Navathandava Dikshitar, President of Thiruchitrambalam Annathanam Arakkatali Trust, said Dikshitars have been performing poojas and selling prasadams for many centuries and blamed the politicians behind the government's resolve to take over the temple.
The legal tussle began years ago when the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department appointed an Executive Officer (EO) to administer the temple which was challenged by the Dikshitars.
HR and CE officials said and EO had already been posted and he functioned from outside the temple and moved in, to takeover after the court's order.
The Janata party and Hindu organisations have opposed government taking over of the temple.
The ruling comes as a shot in the arm for the state government whose EO has been functioning from outside the temple for the past 20 years, after the Dikshitars declined him entry and challenged his appointment made in 1987, claiming full rights by virtue of maintaining the temple.
courtesy: The Hindu
An array of striking paintings has been whitewashed out of existence at the Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Alwar temple at Mannarkovil in Tirunelveli district. These were images of the coronation of Rama, the Dasavataram, Narasimha, Garuda, a wrestler fighting an elephant and so on. Estimates put their antiquity at 150 to 250 years.More recently, murals of the late Nayak period were whitewashed at Muthalamman temple at Kodangipatti, near Karur.
Over the past several years, similar mural masterpieces have been whitewashed at the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, the Arunachaleswarar temple at Tiruvannamalai, the Vishnu temple at Tiruvellarai near Tiruchi, and Siva temples at Patteeswaram near Kumbakonam, Tiruppulivanam in Kancheepuram district and Vedaranyam, all administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu government.
Similar vandalism has been witnessed at other temples in the State, including the Varadarajaswamy temple in Kancheepuram, the Lakshmi Narasimhar temple at Sevilimedu, and the Sanjeeva Rayar temple at Iyengarkulam, both near Kancheepuram.
The latest round of effacement that has been revealed took place about six months ago in the name of renovation, and it is still under way. Sculptures on pillars and inscriptions have also been “cleaned” by sand-blasting: it involves training sand on them at high pressure. This is in violation of a Government Order that bans sand-blasting in temples as it damages sculptures and inscriptions. A sign-board at the temple says Rs. 8,16,000 will be needed for “sand-blasting (chemical wash)” for the renovation.
The Mannarkovil temple was built by Chera king Rajasimha in the 11th century A.D. for the Chola emperor Rajendra. It has an independent sub-shrine, belonging to the 13th century, devoted to the Vaishnavite saint Kulasekara Alwar, who spent his last days in Mannarkovil. It has inscriptions of the Chola and the later Pandya kings. It has three sanctum sanctorums.
The murals that have been whitewashed existed on the side walls of the mantapa (hall) in front of the sanctum on the first floor. While the paintings on the sanctum walls remain, those that were whitewashed include the scene of Rama’s coronation (pattabhishekam) and the Dasavataram on one side. On the opposite side, a masterpiece of Narasimha too has disappeared under coats of lime. Murals on the wooden beams supporting the roof have received coats of paint. Murals on the second floor mantapa, which underwent a gaudy restoration some decades ago, have been whitewashed.
K.T. Gandhirajan, a specialist in art history, said murals in the temples at Mannarkovil and the nearby Tirupudaimarudur, Edaikal and Kalakkadu, exhibited the rare characteristics of “the confluence of Tamil Nadu and Kerala schools of painting.” What was special about the Mannarkovil temple was that it had paintings on both walls and wood.
“The idea was that the halls should be replete with paintings. The artists must have used two types of pigments — one for the wall and another for the timber — because the colour schemes are different, ” he said.
P. Krishnan, during whose tenure as temple Executive Officer the murals were whitewashed, said he never gave permission for such work.
courtesy: the Hindu
GHHF invites you on Dec 6th 2009 at Sri Venkateswara Temple, 780 Old Farm Rd, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, to a fund raiser and the grand cultural programs. The 3rd Pada-Yatra by Kamal Kumar Swami is currently in progress. We need your support to continue our efforts to bring awareness to save temples in India.
“There are as many as 2,07,000 temples in Karnataka & the total income of these temples amounts to 72 crores. Out of this, only a sum of 6 crores are being spent by the Government for their upkeep. On the other hand, the Govt. spend a phenomenal amount of Rs 50 crores for madrassas & Rs 10 crores for churches (from the Govt. Funds)" - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, India Today in 2003
Temples in India are under Government control. Only 18% of revenue generated is given back to temples and 82% used at Governments discretion. Looting, massive sale of temple lands at throw away prices, demolition, illegal encroachments is occurring all over South India.
GHHF supports our sister organization Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi in an effort to save temples in India. Funds are used for awareness campaigns and for planned programs such as 'Maa Develayam (Our Temple), Adarsha Devalayam (Model Temple), Adopt a temple, Model Management structure for Temples, challenge abuse in Government bodies. Several illegal sales of temple lands were challenged in High Court and put on hold. Kamal Kumar Swami of GHHF walked several miles in 3 series of Pada Yatras visiting temples in hundreds of villages bringing awareness to more than a million people. Literally hundreds of news paper articles were written of his work and Padayatra that raised enormous awareness to temples in Andhra Pradesh that forced the Government to pay attention to the issues. There are many challenges ahead from curbing the run away Government departments abuse, public apathy and temples becoming dilapidated at alarming rate etc that needs to be addressed.
GHHF supports our sister organization Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi in an effort to save temples in India. Funds are used for awareness campaigns and for planned programs such as 'Maa Develayam (Our Temple), Adarsha Devalayam (Model Temple), Adopt a temple, Model Management structure for Temples, challenge abuse in Government bodies. Several illegal sales of temple lands were challenged in High Court and put on hold. Kamal Kumar Swami of GHHF walked several miles in 3 series of Pada Yatras visiting temples in hundreds of villages bringing awareness to more than a million people. Literally hundreds of news paper articles were written of his work and Padayatra that raised enormous awareness to temples in Andhra Pradesh that forced the Government to pay attention to the issues. There are many challenges ahead from curbing the run away Government departments abuse, public apathy and temples becoming dilapidated at alarming rate etc that needs to be addressed.
- Dr. BABU SUSEELAN (speech for GHHF annual cultural program on 12/6/2009 in NJ)
1. RISE OF SANATHANA DHARMA
Over the millennia Santhana Dharma has developed a universal, all inclusive and rational culture, which was not identified with any prophet or philosopher. Through a process of self-activation which involves perpetual innovation and periodic renovation, universal philosophy of Hinduism spread far and wide.
Hindu culture has spread from Persia to Bali with its magnificent philosophy, all inclusive life style and spiritual values. King Kanishka built temples in Afghanistan. The Hindu king Surya Varman built the largest Hindu temple in the world known as Angkor Vat. Sanathana Dharma spread in all Asian countries including Indonesia, Java, Malaysia, Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka and Singapore. The Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandayas , the Nayaks and the Vigayanagar kings built magnificent Temples in South India. Several north Indian Hindu kingdoms were responsible for constructing famous temples in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konarak, Orissa, Kashi, Mathura, Dwaraka, Manipur, Bengal and Kashmir. India became a splendor of the world with its opulence and vibrant community. Art, science, music, literature, and architecture have flourished.
Since 8th century Islamic invaders have poured into India searching for wealth. Islamic fanatics have destroyed thousands of Hindu temples and plundered temple wealth from Afghanistan to Kerala. The fanatic Islamic invaders have destroyed our learning centers, cultural institutions and forcefully converted millions of Hindus under the Islamic sword. Islamic invaders forcefully ruled parts of India for hundreds of years. In spite of Hindu Temple destruction and forceful conversion of Hindus, our Santhana Dharma prevailed. Great Hindu reformers and our Bhakti movement were instrumental in retaining our spiritual tradition and spreading our Vedic Dharma in India and abroad. Today Hindu temples across the globe spread our cultural tradition, philosophy and values.
2. PAST GLORY AND PRESENT CRISIS
Ancient civilizations like the Sumerian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Hellenic culture had collapsed under the heavy onslaught of Islamic fanatics and Christian dogmatists. In spite of repeated Islamic invasion, Christian Colonialism and secular assault, Sanathana Dharma survived through its inclusiveness, openness and its capacity of self renewal and its built in resilience.
The natural wealth of India also attracted crusaders, invaders and plunderers from Europe. Some came as merchants and stayed on. Some came, conquered, plundered and left. The crusaders came one after another: the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and finally the British. Starting as traders, they developed political ambitions and ruled India for long. They brought weapons, parochial western culture and language and planned for the de-construction of Hindu society. Christian colonialists have introduced educational and administrative system to produce westernized Indian coolies. They were successful in creating a class of intellectual zombies who were willing to perpetuate the discrimination against Hindus. With the help of converted Indians and brainwashed intellectuals, Christian colonialists have obscured, neglected and suppressed Hindu cultural expression.
How did Hindu civilization declined from its triumphal march to its present deplorable condition? Have there been fatal turns and losses of direction in our progress?
3. STUDY THE PAST.CARE FOR THE FUTURE
We cannot begin a discussion of the present context unless we review the rise and fall of Hindu civilization. At one time or another Sanathana Dharma dominated the foundations of ancient, medieval and modern thought system. Whether it is Philosophy, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Mathematics, Algebra, Physics, Astronomy, Ayurveda, Music, Literature or Poetry, our contributions cannot be ignored. Worlds most distinctive doctrines reveal the imprint of our Sages.
Our Rishis held that the universe reveals the workings, the development, the unfolding of the absolute (Brahman). Our Vedas proclaimed the universe is spiritual. The explanation of human actions, human growth and development as well as changes in human behavior may be grasped once we recognize how they are imbedded in the Cosmos, how they are directed by the absolute, how we play our part in the worlds realization of the spirit.
The essence of Santhana Dharma is spiritual freedom. Hindutva is the ideology devoted to safeguarding this eternal spiritual freedom. Hinduism is not a creed, or blind faith like Christianity or Islam. It is not a closed, rigid, non compromising political dogma like Marxism but a code of conduct and a value system that has spiritual freedom as its core. The basis of Hinduism is not blind faith in a fictitious God residing up in the sky. The foundation of our eternal Sanathana Dharma is the quest for cosmic truth. Our Rishies tried to learn the truth about the universe, explored our place in the cosmos. They saw nature-living and non living things-as part of the same equation. The Vedic system is beyond time. It is eternal. Other religions are historical religions associated with individuals. These dogmatic religions are frozen in time.
4. LOOKING BACK
The plan for the destruction of our Sanathan Dharma is conceived and ordered and called out long time ago. Attempts have been made from time to time by Islamic invaders and Christian colonialists to impose their monolithic design on the multifarious manifestation of our Vedic ethos.
Even after independence, we have retained our secular leaders who were atheists, moral agnostics and those who were hostile to Hindutva. They moved the destructive plan created by Christian colonialists further. These smooth talking, phony secular political leaders ignored the brutal oppression, and brutal facts of history. They have deliberately ignored the aggressive impulses of the Islamists, Marxists and Missionaries and blamed Hindus.
In this context, I am reminded of the speech by Alexander Solzhenitsyn at Harvard University in 1978 with a speech entitled A World Split Apart. He characterized the current conflict for our planet as a physical and spiritual war that had already begun and could not be won without dealing with the forces of evil.
The real crisis Hindus face today is the conflict between spirituality and dogmatism. This is the root. It is a test of our Sanathana Dharma and our will to preserve it, practice it, protect it and promote it. The crisis of Hindus exists to the degree in which we are indifferent to our sacred values. The crisis is deepening because we are dazzled by the logic of the secular interpretation of sanathan Dharma, indifferent to political participation, and our incapacity to grasp the functioning of the atheists, communists, Jihadis, missionaries and secularists. Islamists, secularists, and Marxists and our westernized nemeses who rule India can be defeated if we show faith in our sacred Dharma, and act with courage, determination and conviction.
Marxists want the supremacy of the proletariat through class war, Islamists want Dar-Ul-Islam through Jihad war, and Missionaries want India controlled by the Church through coercive and deceptive conversion.
Now we have to face the challenges. Hinduism is now like a big fallen crippled elephant. A Hindu proverb says: When an Elephant is in trouble even a Frog will kick him. We have lost a major part of our East and west. Kashmir is gone, Nagaland is gone, Meghalaya, is gone. Kerala, the land of Sankaracharya, West Bengal the land of Chaithany Mahaprabhu, Prabhupath, Tagore, Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda is under the anti Hindu Marxist government. Missionaries and Jihadis have a field day in these states. Non Governmental missionary organizations with foreign money is tearing apart our cultural fabric and converting Hindus with impunity. Jihadi terrorists are roaming the country with guns and bombs without fear. Corrupt political leaders are looting millions from our treasury without any guilt or reservations. Law and order situation is in a mess. The schools, colleges and the media have a demoralizing effect on Hindus.
This present scenario requires a continuing search for rebuilding and strengthening our Hindu community. The source of our strength is in our eternal Vedic Dharma. It is spiritual. It has no beginning, no end and no limitation and we shall triumph over those who enslaved us. We are guided by the open ended, all inclusive, eternal spiritual truths of our Sanathan Dharma.
5. KNOW OUR ENEMIES
This victory cannot happen in a vacuum. We need to unite and stand up and must have the ability and will power to know our friends and enemies. We must know our opponents, who want to destroy us, dismantle our country, destroy our temples, and deconstruct our society. We must know the deviant amplifying Islamic ideology and the sinister plan of missionaries and the evil intent of our phony secularists. Once Hindus see this clearly, we can defeat the bigotry and despotism of islamo fascists, misguided policies of Marxists, anti Hindu games of secularists and dogmatism of Missionaries. These dangerous enemies must be exposed and opposed. We must work on to establish a Hindu Rashtra on the basis and principles of moral values, spiritual tradition on sanathana Dharma. We cannot regain our nation, practice our Dharma, free our temples, and promote our spiritual freedom if we always turn inward. If we are passive, indolent and apathetic and interested in relaxing in our own comforts and stop protecting our Dharma, evil will have its way.
There is a criminal axis exist in India against Hindutva. Instead of opposing the criminal axis, our leaders have fallen in love with our enemies. They try to appease our distracters and enemies with special privileges, Hajj subsidy, economic incentives, political rights and special status. Like an Ostrich, our phony, corrupt secular political leaders do not want to see anti Hindutva brigade destroying our country and they are unwilling to confront the enemy. Our moral agnostic political leaders and bogus liberal intellectuals have a difficult time seeing threatening moral issues clearly because most of them are moral relativists. They reject our Dharma, standards of good and bad, right and wrong. In their view, dogmatism of Islam is perfect, Jihad war is noble, coercive religious conversion is liberation, subversive activities of Maoists is acceptable social protest, illegal money making through Hawala and corruption is revenue enhancement, and terrorism is path to enlightenment. Our sadus and sages are primitive-phony secularists and mindless Marxists are modern. Jihadi terrorists and people war groups are freedom fighters. Mullahs and Missionaries are social reformers and peace makers. Seva Bharathi, Mata Amritananda Mai, Sankaracharya, VHP and RSS are communalists. Those who blow up Hindu temples and murdering Hindus are fighting for justice. Love Jihadis are real lovers exercising their freedom. The Hindu victims of terrorism are seen as causes of the problem. Criminals who destroy our sacred temples and steal our deities, Jihadi terrorists who torch our trains and buses and mercilessly kill Hindus are seen as innocent and exploited. The immoral secular political leaders believe that heinous anti Hindu acts must be blamed on Hindu society or psychological and economic circumstances.
6. BREAK THE EXCUSE INDUSTRY AND DESTROY THE WALL OF DENIAL
India is the only country in the world where anti Hindu criminals and Jihadi terrorists are glorified and Hindu victims are demoralized. We need to identify our enemies, make distinction between friend and foe, right and wrong, good and bad. We need to move away from moral relativism to moral absolutism. Evil facing Hindus is real and it must be confronted. Indifference, denial, apathy, compromise and tolerance are not reasonable alternative. Our corrupt political elite are busy churning out excuses for Hindu temple take over, looting of temple wealth, confiscating temple land and denying our rights. They coddle our enemies, instead of confronting them, they feed them. Indias anti Hindu forces advancing politically in accordance with their proclaimed intentions, with the help of enemies within.
7. THE LIMITS OF TOLERANCE
Our extraordinary preoccupation with tolerance encourages secular political leaders to peddle self-deception and self-delusion as realistic. Indias leftist intellectuals, Islamized media, and alienated academicians seek refuge in irrational tolerance as a recipe for moral uncertainty.
Our God Sri Krishna and Sri Rama did not tolerate or negotiate with Asuras. They did not sweet-talk with them, nor did they compromise with them. Our inept politicians see moral issues in shades of gray. In their twisted minds, Hind organizations provoke Jihadis for committing homicide bombing and torching trains.
To ensure our future, we should realize the perils of tolerance. In the name of tolerance, we should not allow Jihadi terrorists, communist fascists and bogus secularists to impose their intolerant ideology on our throat. Its time to realize the limits of tolerance and move away from moral paralysis. When we think of the attitude shift necessary to regain our strength, we should remember the message of Voltaire We must cultivate the spirit of tolerance in our hearts, but we should not allow the policy of toleration to be exploited and abused by fanatical sectarian groups which are subversive political movements in ecclesiastical disguise.
8. ALL RELIGIONS ARE NOT THE SAME
Some Swamijis and mindless political leaders spread the message that all religions are the same. They frequently quote the Vedic verse (Rig Veda 1.164.46) Ekam Sad Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (It is one existence that the wise ones speak of diverse ways).The full Mantra reads as follows:
Indram Mitram Varuna Agnim Ahu,
Atho Divya Sah Suparnah Garutman,
Ekam Sad Viprah Bahudha Vadanti,
Agnim Yamam Matatishvanam Ahu.
(They hail it as Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni; also as that divine and noble-winged Garutman, It is of one Existence that the wise ones speak in diverse ways: whether as Agni or Yama or Mata Rishhvan).
Misguided secular politicians and mindless Universalists quote only one-fourth and not the full mantra. The frivolous misquote of the pseudo cultural elites are destructive existentially and psychologically.
The excuse industry in India is real and powerful. The excuse industry promoting mindless universalism has destroyed individual responsibility, destroyed critical thinking and made citizens into passive zombies. They dont want to see the moral decay caused by Islamo fascists, Marxists, phony secularists and Missionaries.
The banality of the bogus secularists and excuse industry want to shackle Hindus permanently. They prevent Hindus from gaining freedom from the shackles of slavery.
Colonial administrators have produced as many experts as the field of Hindutva. These mindless experts claiming special knowledge of our country and Vedic Dharma have roused so much controversy and misdirected Hindus with meaningless political ideology of all religions are the same, tolerance is a positive virtue, and compromise with enemies is a noble gesture, Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, and bogus secularism. They misinterpreted these concepts for defeating and subjugating Hindus. Indian leaders were brainwashed and use these concepts in reasoning, decision making, concept formation, and so forth. This distorted cognitive process has entered into the behavior of common man. If we ever to come to grips with the seeming illogic of our corrupt secularism and oppression of Hindus, we must first to come to terms with the various illogic of such cognitive distortions.
And now, Hindus are awakening, and many of us are aware of our weakness. This secular way of thinking, which was imposed on us did not help us to admit the existence of evil elements among us nor did it help Hindus see any higher task than the attainment of personal happiness. Hindus lost interest in identifying or confronting enemies to protect our limb and liberty. Hindus were hypnotized to believe that spirituality and dogmatism could peacefully coexist. Islamic fundamentalists and dogmatic missionaries had nothing but contempt for our all embracing, comprehensive value system or our concept of vasudevakudumbakham .
9. RECALIBERATING OUR SOCIAL COMPASS: THE ROAD AHEAD
Our battle is between spiritual freedoms and closed, rigid, reductionist political dogmas paraded as religions under ecclesiastical disguises. Our fight is between darkness and light.
Swami Vivekananda reminded us Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life-think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body fill that idea, and just leave every other ideas alone. This is the way to success.
Hindus should realize that there could be no substitute for victory and political power. Even today Hindus have no political clout. It is a mistake to think that the intellectual movement to achieve Hindu unity and implement an action plan is without difficulties. There is no shortcut to achieve our objectives. Hindutva is our permanent fuel and ideological powerhouse. If Hindu consciousness is awakened, Hindu unity is possible.
Hindus need to change. Change has considerable impact on the human mind. To be fearful of goal directed political activism is threatening our survival because it means things may get worse. Hindus have to identify challenges and act with assertive confidence because it makes things better.
10. A BLUEPRINT FOR HINDU ACTIVISM
Ignoring our enemies, refusal to confront our hangmen and deadly mind viruses can lead to our demise. Hinduism is blessed with abstract and functional concepts for building personal, family and community life. What we lack is strategies and action plan for preserving, practicing, and promoting our Dharma.
What we need is a new paradigma new vision of reality; a fundamental change in our thoughts, perception and values (FRITJOF CAPRA, The Turning Point, Bantam, 1984)
Indian political system is corrupt, discriminatory and oppressive to Hindus. Hindus are bewildered, perplexed and confused under the muscle power of Islamists, missionaries, mind manipulators and psychological warfare experts. Psychological manipulation and political oppression of Hindus made them lose much of their drive and sense of urgency for a new mission and political activism Hindus should have. Hindus must become active, assertive, and must change their passive attitude, increase commitment, and behaviors as well as improve their competencies. Hindus have to shed their long entrenched ineffective culture of pacifism, tolerance, indifference and apathy. We have to replace it with a culture of political activism, social participation, community involvement, and assertiveness. ..
11. CREATING ACTIVIST HINDUS
To respond more effectively to emerging conditions whether it is love jihad, deceptive religious conversion, political corruption or evil design for taking over temples, Hindus need to get out of the frozen mindset and act. The frozen, outdated appeasement culture and the self-absorbed mindset and lack of understanding on the political reality are suicidal. Activism will allow responding swiftly and finding ways to take effective goal directed action.
Hindus are known for risk aversion, apathy, indifference, irrational tolerance and delusional adjustment with adversaries. Hindu groups should not show aversion for risk taking, breakthrough ideas, critical thinking, and self-initiative against mind manipulators, mindless anti Hindu media, jihadis, conversion mafia and corrupt anti Hindu politicians. Hindu temples should also be used in educating Hindus on the sacred Vedic philosophy. Changing Hindus belief, behaviors, commitment and values is a paramount goal for changing passive Hindus into active Hindus. Without this change in attitude and behaviors, our goals cannot be achieved.
Many Hindus are not just comfortable in letting go of the status quo. The status quo is not conducive for Hindus because the pseudo secular politicians, Islamo fascists and the conversion gang will use their power and authority to keep their turf and privileges. Hindu empowerment process is not a onetime program with definitive end point; we should not shelve it away until we reach for our goal: that is HINDU RASHTRA.
We have an immense opportunity, responsibility to generate new knowledge and strategies and action plan based upon a rigorous and disciplined assessment of our present psycho-social- political situation. Then, we can provide a better future for all Hindus.
Swami Vivekananda said No great work can be done without sacrifice. The Purusha himself sacrificed to create the world. Lay down your comforts, your pleasures, your names, fame or position-nay even lives. Make a bridge of human chains over which millions will cross this ocean of life. Bring all the forces of life of good together. Do not care what banner you march. Do not care what be your colorgreen, blue, or red-But mix all the colors up, and produce that intense flow of white, the color of love. Ours is to work. The results will take care of themselves
Swami Vivekanandas clarion call is still relevant today Practice of Hindu Dharma will unite the divided self of man, societies and nations. Hinduism will reestablish man in his rightful position and encourage to him to exert for attaining divine heights of his latent personality.
Over the millennia Santhana Dharma has developed a universal, all inclusive and rational culture, which was not identified with any prophet or philosopher. Through a process of self-activation which involves perpetual innovation and periodic renovation, universal philosophy of Hinduism spread far and wide.
Hindu culture has spread from Persia to Bali with its magnificent philosophy, all inclusive life style and spiritual values. King Kanishka built temples in Afghanistan. The Hindu king Surya Varman built the largest Hindu temple in the world known as Angkor Vat. Sanathana Dharma spread in all Asian countries including Indonesia, Java, Malaysia, Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka and Singapore. The Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandayas , the Nayaks and the Vigayanagar kings built magnificent Temples in South India. Several north Indian Hindu kingdoms were responsible for constructing famous temples in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konarak, Orissa, Kashi, Mathura, Dwaraka, Manipur, Bengal and Kashmir. India became a splendor of the world with its opulence and vibrant community. Art, science, music, literature, and architecture have flourished.
Since 8th century Islamic invaders have poured into India searching for wealth. Islamic fanatics have destroyed thousands of Hindu temples and plundered temple wealth from Afghanistan to Kerala. The fanatic Islamic invaders have destroyed our learning centers, cultural institutions and forcefully converted millions of Hindus under the Islamic sword. Islamic invaders forcefully ruled parts of India for hundreds of years. In spite of Hindu Temple destruction and forceful conversion of Hindus, our Santhana Dharma prevailed. Great Hindu reformers and our Bhakti movement were instrumental in retaining our spiritual tradition and spreading our Vedic Dharma in India and abroad. Today Hindu temples across the globe spread our cultural tradition, philosophy and values.
2. PAST GLORY AND PRESENT CRISIS
Ancient civilizations like the Sumerian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Hellenic culture had collapsed under the heavy onslaught of Islamic fanatics and Christian dogmatists. In spite of repeated Islamic invasion, Christian Colonialism and secular assault, Sanathana Dharma survived through its inclusiveness, openness and its capacity of self renewal and its built in resilience.
The natural wealth of India also attracted crusaders, invaders and plunderers from Europe. Some came as merchants and stayed on. Some came, conquered, plundered and left. The crusaders came one after another: the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and finally the British. Starting as traders, they developed political ambitions and ruled India for long. They brought weapons, parochial western culture and language and planned for the de-construction of Hindu society. Christian colonialists have introduced educational and administrative system to produce westernized Indian coolies. They were successful in creating a class of intellectual zombies who were willing to perpetuate the discrimination against Hindus. With the help of converted Indians and brainwashed intellectuals, Christian colonialists have obscured, neglected and suppressed Hindu cultural expression.
How did Hindu civilization declined from its triumphal march to its present deplorable condition? Have there been fatal turns and losses of direction in our progress?
3. STUDY THE PAST.CARE FOR THE FUTURE
We cannot begin a discussion of the present context unless we review the rise and fall of Hindu civilization. At one time or another Sanathana Dharma dominated the foundations of ancient, medieval and modern thought system. Whether it is Philosophy, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Mathematics, Algebra, Physics, Astronomy, Ayurveda, Music, Literature or Poetry, our contributions cannot be ignored. Worlds most distinctive doctrines reveal the imprint of our Sages.
Our Rishis held that the universe reveals the workings, the development, the unfolding of the absolute (Brahman). Our Vedas proclaimed the universe is spiritual. The explanation of human actions, human growth and development as well as changes in human behavior may be grasped once we recognize how they are imbedded in the Cosmos, how they are directed by the absolute, how we play our part in the worlds realization of the spirit.
The essence of Santhana Dharma is spiritual freedom. Hindutva is the ideology devoted to safeguarding this eternal spiritual freedom. Hinduism is not a creed, or blind faith like Christianity or Islam. It is not a closed, rigid, non compromising political dogma like Marxism but a code of conduct and a value system that has spiritual freedom as its core. The basis of Hinduism is not blind faith in a fictitious God residing up in the sky. The foundation of our eternal Sanathana Dharma is the quest for cosmic truth. Our Rishies tried to learn the truth about the universe, explored our place in the cosmos. They saw nature-living and non living things-as part of the same equation. The Vedic system is beyond time. It is eternal. Other religions are historical religions associated with individuals. These dogmatic religions are frozen in time.
4. LOOKING BACK
The plan for the destruction of our Sanathan Dharma is conceived and ordered and called out long time ago. Attempts have been made from time to time by Islamic invaders and Christian colonialists to impose their monolithic design on the multifarious manifestation of our Vedic ethos.
Even after independence, we have retained our secular leaders who were atheists, moral agnostics and those who were hostile to Hindutva. They moved the destructive plan created by Christian colonialists further. These smooth talking, phony secular political leaders ignored the brutal oppression, and brutal facts of history. They have deliberately ignored the aggressive impulses of the Islamists, Marxists and Missionaries and blamed Hindus.
In this context, I am reminded of the speech by Alexander Solzhenitsyn at Harvard University in 1978 with a speech entitled A World Split Apart. He characterized the current conflict for our planet as a physical and spiritual war that had already begun and could not be won without dealing with the forces of evil.
The real crisis Hindus face today is the conflict between spirituality and dogmatism. This is the root. It is a test of our Sanathana Dharma and our will to preserve it, practice it, protect it and promote it. The crisis of Hindus exists to the degree in which we are indifferent to our sacred values. The crisis is deepening because we are dazzled by the logic of the secular interpretation of sanathan Dharma, indifferent to political participation, and our incapacity to grasp the functioning of the atheists, communists, Jihadis, missionaries and secularists. Islamists, secularists, and Marxists and our westernized nemeses who rule India can be defeated if we show faith in our sacred Dharma, and act with courage, determination and conviction.
Marxists want the supremacy of the proletariat through class war, Islamists want Dar-Ul-Islam through Jihad war, and Missionaries want India controlled by the Church through coercive and deceptive conversion.
Now we have to face the challenges. Hinduism is now like a big fallen crippled elephant. A Hindu proverb says: When an Elephant is in trouble even a Frog will kick him. We have lost a major part of our East and west. Kashmir is gone, Nagaland is gone, Meghalaya, is gone. Kerala, the land of Sankaracharya, West Bengal the land of Chaithany Mahaprabhu, Prabhupath, Tagore, Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda is under the anti Hindu Marxist government. Missionaries and Jihadis have a field day in these states. Non Governmental missionary organizations with foreign money is tearing apart our cultural fabric and converting Hindus with impunity. Jihadi terrorists are roaming the country with guns and bombs without fear. Corrupt political leaders are looting millions from our treasury without any guilt or reservations. Law and order situation is in a mess. The schools, colleges and the media have a demoralizing effect on Hindus.
This present scenario requires a continuing search for rebuilding and strengthening our Hindu community. The source of our strength is in our eternal Vedic Dharma. It is spiritual. It has no beginning, no end and no limitation and we shall triumph over those who enslaved us. We are guided by the open ended, all inclusive, eternal spiritual truths of our Sanathan Dharma.
5. KNOW OUR ENEMIES
This victory cannot happen in a vacuum. We need to unite and stand up and must have the ability and will power to know our friends and enemies. We must know our opponents, who want to destroy us, dismantle our country, destroy our temples, and deconstruct our society. We must know the deviant amplifying Islamic ideology and the sinister plan of missionaries and the evil intent of our phony secularists. Once Hindus see this clearly, we can defeat the bigotry and despotism of islamo fascists, misguided policies of Marxists, anti Hindu games of secularists and dogmatism of Missionaries. These dangerous enemies must be exposed and opposed. We must work on to establish a Hindu Rashtra on the basis and principles of moral values, spiritual tradition on sanathana Dharma. We cannot regain our nation, practice our Dharma, free our temples, and promote our spiritual freedom if we always turn inward. If we are passive, indolent and apathetic and interested in relaxing in our own comforts and stop protecting our Dharma, evil will have its way.
There is a criminal axis exist in India against Hindutva. Instead of opposing the criminal axis, our leaders have fallen in love with our enemies. They try to appease our distracters and enemies with special privileges, Hajj subsidy, economic incentives, political rights and special status. Like an Ostrich, our phony, corrupt secular political leaders do not want to see anti Hindutva brigade destroying our country and they are unwilling to confront the enemy. Our moral agnostic political leaders and bogus liberal intellectuals have a difficult time seeing threatening moral issues clearly because most of them are moral relativists. They reject our Dharma, standards of good and bad, right and wrong. In their view, dogmatism of Islam is perfect, Jihad war is noble, coercive religious conversion is liberation, subversive activities of Maoists is acceptable social protest, illegal money making through Hawala and corruption is revenue enhancement, and terrorism is path to enlightenment. Our sadus and sages are primitive-phony secularists and mindless Marxists are modern. Jihadi terrorists and people war groups are freedom fighters. Mullahs and Missionaries are social reformers and peace makers. Seva Bharathi, Mata Amritananda Mai, Sankaracharya, VHP and RSS are communalists. Those who blow up Hindu temples and murdering Hindus are fighting for justice. Love Jihadis are real lovers exercising their freedom. The Hindu victims of terrorism are seen as causes of the problem. Criminals who destroy our sacred temples and steal our deities, Jihadi terrorists who torch our trains and buses and mercilessly kill Hindus are seen as innocent and exploited. The immoral secular political leaders believe that heinous anti Hindu acts must be blamed on Hindu society or psychological and economic circumstances.
6. BREAK THE EXCUSE INDUSTRY AND DESTROY THE WALL OF DENIAL
India is the only country in the world where anti Hindu criminals and Jihadi terrorists are glorified and Hindu victims are demoralized. We need to identify our enemies, make distinction between friend and foe, right and wrong, good and bad. We need to move away from moral relativism to moral absolutism. Evil facing Hindus is real and it must be confronted. Indifference, denial, apathy, compromise and tolerance are not reasonable alternative. Our corrupt political elite are busy churning out excuses for Hindu temple take over, looting of temple wealth, confiscating temple land and denying our rights. They coddle our enemies, instead of confronting them, they feed them. Indias anti Hindu forces advancing politically in accordance with their proclaimed intentions, with the help of enemies within.
7. THE LIMITS OF TOLERANCE
Our extraordinary preoccupation with tolerance encourages secular political leaders to peddle self-deception and self-delusion as realistic. Indias leftist intellectuals, Islamized media, and alienated academicians seek refuge in irrational tolerance as a recipe for moral uncertainty.
Our God Sri Krishna and Sri Rama did not tolerate or negotiate with Asuras. They did not sweet-talk with them, nor did they compromise with them. Our inept politicians see moral issues in shades of gray. In their twisted minds, Hind organizations provoke Jihadis for committing homicide bombing and torching trains.
To ensure our future, we should realize the perils of tolerance. In the name of tolerance, we should not allow Jihadi terrorists, communist fascists and bogus secularists to impose their intolerant ideology on our throat. Its time to realize the limits of tolerance and move away from moral paralysis. When we think of the attitude shift necessary to regain our strength, we should remember the message of Voltaire We must cultivate the spirit of tolerance in our hearts, but we should not allow the policy of toleration to be exploited and abused by fanatical sectarian groups which are subversive political movements in ecclesiastical disguise.
8. ALL RELIGIONS ARE NOT THE SAME
Some Swamijis and mindless political leaders spread the message that all religions are the same. They frequently quote the Vedic verse (Rig Veda 1.164.46) Ekam Sad Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (It is one existence that the wise ones speak of diverse ways).The full Mantra reads as follows:
Indram Mitram Varuna Agnim Ahu,
Atho Divya Sah Suparnah Garutman,
Ekam Sad Viprah Bahudha Vadanti,
Agnim Yamam Matatishvanam Ahu.
(They hail it as Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni; also as that divine and noble-winged Garutman, It is of one Existence that the wise ones speak in diverse ways: whether as Agni or Yama or Mata Rishhvan).
Misguided secular politicians and mindless Universalists quote only one-fourth and not the full mantra. The frivolous misquote of the pseudo cultural elites are destructive existentially and psychologically.
The excuse industry in India is real and powerful. The excuse industry promoting mindless universalism has destroyed individual responsibility, destroyed critical thinking and made citizens into passive zombies. They dont want to see the moral decay caused by Islamo fascists, Marxists, phony secularists and Missionaries.
The banality of the bogus secularists and excuse industry want to shackle Hindus permanently. They prevent Hindus from gaining freedom from the shackles of slavery.
Colonial administrators have produced as many experts as the field of Hindutva. These mindless experts claiming special knowledge of our country and Vedic Dharma have roused so much controversy and misdirected Hindus with meaningless political ideology of all religions are the same, tolerance is a positive virtue, and compromise with enemies is a noble gesture, Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, and bogus secularism. They misinterpreted these concepts for defeating and subjugating Hindus. Indian leaders were brainwashed and use these concepts in reasoning, decision making, concept formation, and so forth. This distorted cognitive process has entered into the behavior of common man. If we ever to come to grips with the seeming illogic of our corrupt secularism and oppression of Hindus, we must first to come to terms with the various illogic of such cognitive distortions.
And now, Hindus are awakening, and many of us are aware of our weakness. This secular way of thinking, which was imposed on us did not help us to admit the existence of evil elements among us nor did it help Hindus see any higher task than the attainment of personal happiness. Hindus lost interest in identifying or confronting enemies to protect our limb and liberty. Hindus were hypnotized to believe that spirituality and dogmatism could peacefully coexist. Islamic fundamentalists and dogmatic missionaries had nothing but contempt for our all embracing, comprehensive value system or our concept of vasudevakudumbakham .
9. RECALIBERATING OUR SOCIAL COMPASS: THE ROAD AHEAD
Our battle is between spiritual freedoms and closed, rigid, reductionist political dogmas paraded as religions under ecclesiastical disguises. Our fight is between darkness and light.
Swami Vivekananda reminded us Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life-think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body fill that idea, and just leave every other ideas alone. This is the way to success.
Hindus should realize that there could be no substitute for victory and political power. Even today Hindus have no political clout. It is a mistake to think that the intellectual movement to achieve Hindu unity and implement an action plan is without difficulties. There is no shortcut to achieve our objectives. Hindutva is our permanent fuel and ideological powerhouse. If Hindu consciousness is awakened, Hindu unity is possible.
Hindus need to change. Change has considerable impact on the human mind. To be fearful of goal directed political activism is threatening our survival because it means things may get worse. Hindus have to identify challenges and act with assertive confidence because it makes things better.
10. A BLUEPRINT FOR HINDU ACTIVISM
Ignoring our enemies, refusal to confront our hangmen and deadly mind viruses can lead to our demise. Hinduism is blessed with abstract and functional concepts for building personal, family and community life. What we lack is strategies and action plan for preserving, practicing, and promoting our Dharma.
What we need is a new paradigma new vision of reality; a fundamental change in our thoughts, perception and values (FRITJOF CAPRA, The Turning Point, Bantam, 1984)
Indian political system is corrupt, discriminatory and oppressive to Hindus. Hindus are bewildered, perplexed and confused under the muscle power of Islamists, missionaries, mind manipulators and psychological warfare experts. Psychological manipulation and political oppression of Hindus made them lose much of their drive and sense of urgency for a new mission and political activism Hindus should have. Hindus must become active, assertive, and must change their passive attitude, increase commitment, and behaviors as well as improve their competencies. Hindus have to shed their long entrenched ineffective culture of pacifism, tolerance, indifference and apathy. We have to replace it with a culture of political activism, social participation, community involvement, and assertiveness. ..
11. CREATING ACTIVIST HINDUS
To respond more effectively to emerging conditions whether it is love jihad, deceptive religious conversion, political corruption or evil design for taking over temples, Hindus need to get out of the frozen mindset and act. The frozen, outdated appeasement culture and the self-absorbed mindset and lack of understanding on the political reality are suicidal. Activism will allow responding swiftly and finding ways to take effective goal directed action.
Hindus are known for risk aversion, apathy, indifference, irrational tolerance and delusional adjustment with adversaries. Hindu groups should not show aversion for risk taking, breakthrough ideas, critical thinking, and self-initiative against mind manipulators, mindless anti Hindu media, jihadis, conversion mafia and corrupt anti Hindu politicians. Hindu temples should also be used in educating Hindus on the sacred Vedic philosophy. Changing Hindus belief, behaviors, commitment and values is a paramount goal for changing passive Hindus into active Hindus. Without this change in attitude and behaviors, our goals cannot be achieved.
Many Hindus are not just comfortable in letting go of the status quo. The status quo is not conducive for Hindus because the pseudo secular politicians, Islamo fascists and the conversion gang will use their power and authority to keep their turf and privileges. Hindu empowerment process is not a onetime program with definitive end point; we should not shelve it away until we reach for our goal: that is HINDU RASHTRA.
We have an immense opportunity, responsibility to generate new knowledge and strategies and action plan based upon a rigorous and disciplined assessment of our present psycho-social- political situation. Then, we can provide a better future for all Hindus.
Swami Vivekananda said No great work can be done without sacrifice. The Purusha himself sacrificed to create the world. Lay down your comforts, your pleasures, your names, fame or position-nay even lives. Make a bridge of human chains over which millions will cross this ocean of life. Bring all the forces of life of good together. Do not care what banner you march. Do not care what be your colorgreen, blue, or red-But mix all the colors up, and produce that intense flow of white, the color of love. Ours is to work. The results will take care of themselves
Swami Vivekanandas clarion call is still relevant today Practice of Hindu Dharma will unite the divided self of man, societies and nations. Hinduism will reestablish man in his rightful position and encourage to him to exert for attaining divine heights of his latent personality.
The Devalaya in Embekka is dedicated to the worship of Mahasen, popularly known as Katharagama Deviyo. A local deity called Devatha Bandara is also worshiped at this site. The shrine consists of three sections, the "Sanctum of Garagha", the "Digge" or "Dancing Hall" and the "Hevisi Mandapaya" or the "Drummers' Hall". The Drummers' Hall that has drawn the attention of visitors to the site, due to the splendid wood carvings of its ornate pillars and its high pitched roof.
Carvings and Wood Work
Carvings and Wood Work
It is said that some of the wood work utilized for the "Drummers' Hall" came from an abandoned "Royal Audience Hall" at Gampola. There is every possibility the hall has seen repairs during the reigns of the Sinhalese Kings of Kandy. The carvings, which adorn the wooden pillars of the drummers' hall, as well as the "Vahalkada" (the entrance porch of the devala, which is said to be older) are some of the best examples of Sinhalese art.
The roof itself has significant features. The rafters all slant from above towards the incoming visitor are fixed together and kept in position by a "Madol Kurupawa", a kind of a giant catch pin the like of which we do not find elsewhere.
"Madol Kurupawa", pins 26 beams together. |
Embekka Devalaya is situated in Medapalata Korale of Udunuwara in Kandy district. The easiest way to get to Embekka is coming from Colombo - Kandy main road at Pilimathalawa. There is a clear sign post hosted by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka at the start of the road to Embekka. It is about 7 - 8 km (5 miles) from Pilimathalawa to Embekka from the Colombo - Kandy main road. On the Daulagala road proceed about a mile and you will come to the Gadaladeniya junction, which you can see the famous Gadaladeniya Viharaya right at the junction. Both roads from the junction would take you to Embekka. The shortest would be the one to the right, but if you wish to see the Lankathilaka Viharaya you should take the road to the left. If you take the road to the left you can see the Embekka Ambalama [3] just before you arrive at the Embekka Devalaya.
