Author:
Publication: Organiser
Date: December 24, 2000
The imposition of entrance
fee in the Sun temple of Konark, the renowned tourist spot is becoming
block stumbling in Orissa to the worshippers of Sun God. The temple
which is known as Arkakshetra is famous for its festival Mahasaptami during
which thousands of worshippers turn up to worship the sun god and to take
a dip in the holy Chandrabha". But the imposition of the entrance
fee has become a great problem to the poor people who daily come to offer
prayers. This unjust step of the authority is depriving the people
of their religious right. On October 2, 1996 the authorities had
assured the people of some provision which allows free entrance on every
Saturday and on other holy festival days and to allocate funds from income
of the Sun temple for development of local area.
At present to the utter
disregard of the religious sentiment and interests of the people the entry
fee has been increased from five rupees to ten rupees. And the previous
provision of one day free entry in a week to the temple has been cancelled
and fee is collected on all days. On December 8, 2000 some delegates
of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) alongwith Orissa State BJP president Manmohan
Samal, MP had met Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) Smt Komal Ananda with some demands, she dismissed them out of hand
and stood by her opinion that shoes will be allowed inside the temple promises
and no poojas could be observed inside the temple anymore. On referring
to Navagraha puja, she said that it was only a slab of stone and has been
shifted from the temple and Sun temple is only a tourist spot having no
religious sanctity. The DG's decision is mortal blow to the Hindu
worshippers and her anti-religious attitudes is only worth to hurt the
feelings of the Hindus. Her decision of cancelling pooja and shifting
the idols question the very worshipping rights of the people.
First of all Konark is
the temple of Hindus though it is a tourist place at present and it is
of course a part of our great heritage. Preserving the Konark Temple
as a part of Indian culture by the ASI is really a great attempt but denying
the right of the worshippers cannot be encouraged. The VHP, Konark,
Orissa has come forward to fight the anti-religious attitude of the DG,
ASI and has put forth the following demands:
1. There should
be free entry provision to the Sun temple, Konark on every Saturday as
the "Navagraha Worship Day" and on "Samba Dasami" "Magha Saptami" and other
holy days dedicated to the Sun God.
2. The entry fee
of Rs 10 be reduced to Rs 5 and students guided and photographers etc,
be allowed free entry to the temple.
3. Respect the
sanctity of the place and Indian tradition, Shoes should not be allowed
inside the Sun temple.
4. A high level
committee be formed comprising eminent sculptors, architects and other
concerned experts to verify and recommend necessary steps for preservation
and renovation of this great temple.
5. A major portion
of the income from the Sun temple be allotted for its preservation, creation
of a natural green belt around the temple and for the development of the
local area.
