Governor Gehlot visits Anjanadri Hill temple with family

KOPPAL: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday visited the Anjanadri Hill temple in Gangavathi taluk and offered prayers to Lord Hanuman. Anjanadri Hills is considered the birthplace of Hanuman.

The governor was accompanied by his family members during the visit. Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal, Police Superintendent Ram Arasiddi were also present.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken the Koppal DC to task for not following its directives on the conduct of puja at the temple following a controversy. The DC was asked to personally present himself via video conference.

In its interim order, the Supreme Court had directed that priest Vidyadas Baba should be allowed to conduct the puja and that he should be provided with basic amenities along with accommodation atop the hill.

During a recent visit by the DC to Anjanadri, someone else was found doing puja to which Vidyadas Baba had objected. He had also had an argument with the temple executive officer Prakash Rao over the collections in the donation box.

Following this, Vidyadas Baba had filed a contempt petition before the Supreme Court which has directed DC Suresh Itnal to present himself on August 11.

The order was issued by a bench of Justices Surya Kanth and Joymalya Bagchi. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain argued on behalf of the temple priest.