Brahmakalashotsava at Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple

Madikeri: The Kodagu District Court has said that there is no necessity of a separate 19-Member Committee to organise Ashtabandha Brahmakalashotsava at Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple at Bhagamandala en route to Talacauvery, the birthplace of River Cauvery. The ritual is held in the Temple once in 12 years.

Members of a separate Brahmakalashotsava Samiti, headed by Kodagu BJP leader M.B. Devaiah, submitted a plea to the DC’s Court in 2017 to allow them to organise the Brahmakalashotsava in the Temple.

The applicants were M.B. Devaiah, M.A. Nanaiah, M.B. Kumar, C.G. Satish, K. Ramesh Muddaiah, B.A. Ramesh Chengappa and K. Fancy Ganapathy.

Hearing the case, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy on Friday dismissed the appeal stating that the Temple is headed by the Administrative Committee formed by the Government and as per the Muzrai Act, there is no separate Committee for Ashtabandha Brahmakalashotsava. The Administrative Committee is constituted in adherence to the Government regulations.

“The Administrative Committee has been formed as per the Karnataka Religious and Charitable Institutions Act 1997 Column 25 and new provisions have been added in 2002, rule 33(5). According to the rules, Temple Car Festivals, Temple Fair and any other special celebrations in the Temple will be organised by the Administrative Committee and as such there is no need for a Special Committee,” said the DC order.

“The 19-Member Committee is null and void. Moreover, if there are two Committees for the same purpose, it will create confusions. Also, the current Management Committee has the provision to invite suggestions from the general public and devotees,” said the DC’s order.