The Uttara Kannada District falling under the Karnataka state government regained control of the Sri Mahabaleshwara temple in Gokarna on Wednesday (19 September) following a High Court directive, New India Express has reported. The temple was built in the fourth century.

The temple’s affairs would now be overseen by the district’s Deputy Commissioner SS Nakul. The overseeing committee was reportedly formed by the High Court.

As per the report, the High Court had ordered the Sri Ramachandrapur Mutt of Shivamogga to handover the temple’s control to the Karnataka government. The Mutt, as a result, appealed the High Court order in the Supreme Court but to no avail.

Incidentally, the Sri Mahabaleshwara temple like many others in the state was under government control till 12 August 2008 when the then Karnataka government led by BS Yeddyurappa had handed over the temple’s management to the Ramachandrapur Mutt.

The High Court in its order had stipulated that the Karnataka government regain control of the temple from 10 September following recording the inventories. The report claims that some confusion prevailed over the Supreme Court’s order following which the deputy commissioner sought clarifications from the state government.

Following clarification by the auditor general, the state government gave the go-ahead to the deputy commissioner.

Also Read: Great Hypocrisy Of “Secular” Indian State: It Controls Only Temples; We Must Take Them Back

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