A padayatra from Sandur town to Kumaraswamy temple, on a hill in the Swamimalai block of Sandur forest, was taken out on Monday to prevail upon the State government to protect the ancient Sri Kumaraswamy and Sri Parvati temples.
Apart from that, a near-total bandh was observed in Sandur town as owners of shops and business establishments downed shutters in support of the cause. However, movement of public transport vehicles remained unaffected.
The nearly 11-km padayatra was taken out under the banner of Kumaraswamy and Parvati Temple Protection Committee in which people, including women, college students, participated in large numbers unmindful of the hot weather. A bhajan team rendered devotional songs throughout the padayatra which was flagged off by Prabhu Swamiji of Virakta Mutt in Sandur.
The committee, which is spear-heading the movement, wanted the government to ban all activities, including mining within a two-kilometre radius around the temples, which were built in the eighth century and have a large following not only from the district but also from across the State and neighbouring States.
The committee, which submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, to the Tahsildar, has underlined the need for protection of the forest area coming under the Kumaraswamy block keeping in view the flora and fauna and the biodiversity by declaring it as a nationally protected monument.
Srishail Aladahalli and T.M. Shivakumar, committee members, on behalf of the devotees and the public, said that the ongoing movement would be intensified if the State government does not concede the demand.
Mining poses threat
“These two ancient temples are under threat due to mining activities. Now, a couple of mines, within a few hundred metres of the temples have been allotted to firms through e-auction. If mining activities are allowed within the close proximity of the temples, the ancient monuments would be severely affected and also the flora and fauna and bio-diversity of the forest. Therefore, we urge the Chief Minister to take a serious view of the issue and initiate appropriate steps to ban all activities, including mining, within a two-kilometre radius of the temples,” Mr. Aladahalli said.
Chaganur Mallikarjun Reddy, convenor of the Chaganur-Sirivar Neeravari Bhoo Horata Samiti, R. Madhav Reddy, executive president of the district unit of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, representatives from the district unit of Aam Admi Party and Jan Sangram Parishat were among others persons to take part in the padayatra.
