Hosadurga’s Kanaka Gurupeetha seer alleges denial of entry into temple sanctum sanctorum

CHITRADURGA: A controversy is brewing after Eshwaranandapuri Swami of the Hosadurga branch of the Kanaka Gurupeetha claimed that he was denied entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Chennakeshava temple in Bagur.

The seer had raised the issue during a public event on Friday. Speaking to Public TV, Eshwaranandapuri Swami said he and some other seers had gone to the temple of the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadashi a few months ago. “There were some backward class and Dalit seers too with me — Upaveera Jagadguru Purshothamanandapuri Swami and Jagadguru Shantiveera Swami of Kunchitiga Mahasamsthan. When we went for darshan, we were denied entry into the sanctum sanctorum whereas the female members of the priest’s family were allowed. This upset me”.

Eshwaranandapuri Swami of the Hosadurga branch of the Kanaka Gurupeetha.

“Temples and maths should be centres of equality and there should be opportunities for everyone. Only devotion should be important and not caste. It is unfortunate that caste discrimination happened at the temple. This should change, whether it is private or Muzrai temples”, he said.

The temple trust members have denied the charges made by the seer.

The temple trust, however, has denied any such discrimination. “For the last five years, we have been celebrating Vaikunta Ekadashi at this temple and all the seers have been accorded due respect. There is no caste discrimination and the seer’s allegations have hurt the villagers”, they said. They even challenged the seer to prove his charges of cleansing the temple after their visit.

The temple priest too denied any such discrimination and said, “The three seers have been visiting the temple of the last six years and nothing of that sort happened. As earlier, they were felicitated this year too and I don’t know why they are making such allegations. Devotees of all communities visit the temple”.

Madara Chennaiah Swami said Eshwaranandapuri Swami was recollecting an old incident.

However, Madara Chennaiah Swami told Public TV that Eshwaranandapuri Swami was only recollecting an incident which occurred 15 years ago and that he did not mean to create any controversy. “But it is true that discrimination against seers of Dalit and backward classes exists and they are not allowed into the sanctum sanctorum in many temples.