MANGALURU: Was the Malali dargah in Mangaluru a Shiva temple? Famous Kerala astrologer Puduval G P Gopalakrishna Panicker, who conducted the ‘tamboola prashne’ (betel leaf astrology) today, says a Shiva temple did exist at the site and perhaps belonged to the Lingayats.
The ‘tamboola prashne’, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal at the Malali Ramanjaneya Bhajan Mandir, a little distance away from the Asyed Abdullahil Madani dargah, began at 9.05 after ritualistic prayers in the presence of religious and community leaders.
According to Panicker, a Hindu math did exist where pujas and other rituals were conducted. Some artefacts, including idols of gods, may have been shifted elsewhere and people may have abandoned the place after the death of someone. More clues will be found if the site is excavated, he feels. There was a Lingayat math at Gurupura, which is closeby, he added.
The astrologer also said after the holy site was damaged, it is difficult to build a new one. Protection of the site is the responsibility of the present owners. If the dispute is not resolved, it may cause problems for everyone in the village and hence, all should unitedly work towards a solution, he suggested.
Panicker also said it is in the interest of the Muslim community to restore the Hindu holy site. It was a place where the heads of maths and seers conducted penance and may have undergone change during the time of conflict between Shaivites and Vaishnavites. To the north of the site, a holy man used to conduct penance, he claimed.
Before taking any further step, locals should offer prayers at the Polali Rajarajeshwari temple, the Narala math and at the Vishnu temple in the village. Following this, a ‘Gana homa’ and Durga puja can be conducted. Village elders and others should discuss the issue and further advice will be given later, he suggested.
A large number of police personnel were deployed at Malali Juma Masjid in Mangaluru to prevent any untoward incident. According to Mangaluru authorities, section 144 will be in place within a 500-meter area of Juma Masjid here till 8 am on May 26.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said, “The district administration is monitoring everything. Section 144 imposed in the area near Masjid.”
A Hindu temple-like architectural design was discovered underneath an old mosque on the outskirts of Mangaluru on April 21.
The development came to the fore during renovation work at the dargah in Malali, on the outskirts of Mangaluru.
Following this, people have been suggesting that there is every possibility that a Hindu temple existed at the site.
VHP leaders had appealed to the district administration to stop the work till the documents were verified.