Mandya:  The rift between two Priests with regard to performing puja rituals at the famous Sri Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple in Melukote here took an ugly turn yesterday when a wordy duel ensued between one Narayana Bhatta and Dr. Bhasyam Swamiji.

It so happened that the State Government had appointed Dr. Bhasyam Swamiji, the Founder of Sri Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple in Mysuru, to offer puja at the famous Lord Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple in Melukote in the absence of Narayana Bhatta, the permanent priest.

On Dec.11 at around 7.15 pm, Dr. Bhasyam Swamiji arrived at the temple to report for the duty. But, Priest Narayana Bhatta did not allow Bhasyam Swamiji to enter the sanctum sanctorum stating that the order stated ‘only  in his absence’ that his substitute could offer the puja.

Despite the temple authorities including the officials from Muzrai and Religious Department requesting Narayana Bhatta to allow Bhasyam Swamiji to report for the duty by offering mangalarati to the idol, Bhatta did not budge to the request and prevented Swamiji from entering the sanctum sanctorum.

The rift went to a level where Narayana Bhatta closed the curtains of sanctum sanctorum in protest thus disappointing a large number of devotees.

Meanwhile, Bhasyam Swamiji has written to the Deputy Commissioner of Mandya, stating that he would be available to offer puja to the deity on being informed one-day prior by the temple authorities.

Porn videos in Priest’s mobile phone

While the two Priests were engaged in the fight over puja rituals, Sheshadri, one of the devotees, who was able to access Priest Narayana Bhatta’s mobile phone found pornography apps. The devotees have urged the authorities initiate action against Bhatta.

Later, Naryana Bhatta, who addressed the media persons, claimed to be unaware of pornography apps being downloaded in his mobile and said that he only knew the basic function of the mobile phones.