Lucknow, 2015.11.29 (UNI): Uttar Pradesh government is all set to take control and develop famous Hindu shrines of Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, Mathura and Maa Vindhyavasini temple at Vindhyanchal in Mirzapur districts.
The draft is expected to be get the cabinet nod expected on December 1 which will later be passed in the next legislative session.
Built in 1860, Banke Bihari temple receives astronomical donations and offerings every year, especially around Janmashtami. A classic example of Rajasthani architecture, the three-storied temple has arches and pillars which makes it distinct. Likewise, the Vindhyawasini temple at Mirzapur, 70 kms from Varanasi, is one of the most revered Shaktipeeths for Hindu pilgrims.
The move of the state government is aimed at shedding its pro-Muslim image and project itself as a `true secular party thereby attracting majority Hindus in the next Assembly polls scheduled for 2017.
Official sources here today confirmed that the department of Religious Endowment has been working for the last one year on formalities to get the ownership of the two temples transferred from the caretaker trusts in its name. The department has now prepared the draft and is set to get it cleared by the cabinet next week.
It is learnt to have procuredthe Law Department bod paving way for the takeover of the shrines. The move was initiated after it surfaced that local priests often duped pilgrims and usurped the donations and costly offerings and never used it for development or the shrine or provide facilities to visitors.
“There have been several complaints of irregularities as pilgrims are often duped by Pandas and are deprived of facilities. They obstruct pilgrims from easily having a darshan and to facilitate the same exact hefty sums,” claimed a senior official. He stresed that the transfer of ownership from the trusts to the government would help in ensuring better amenities to pilgrims.
Sources claimed that the collection in the temples runs into several crore rupees every month but where is the phenomenal amount spent is never known to anyone and there is no record. In fact, some pandas and trustees are known to garner support of mafia or politicians to grab a lion’s share of the collection and do not hesitate to eliminate rivals to establish their hegemony over the temples.
Once the government takeover is complete, the approach roads to the two shrines would be broadened to ensure smooth ride for the pilgrims. Besides, special buses and tour packages for pilgrims will be started for facilitating darshan in groups.
Meanwhile, the religious bodies controlling the temples at present has opposed the government move and in Vrindavan, they have already started holding protests.
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