“To cross the seas, or not to cross them” was a big dilemma for priests of the Kanakadurga temple here. A year ago when they got an offer to go to the U.S. to perform poojas they declined, but now, they are all gearing up to fly shortly.
A five-member team of priests, including Lingambotla Durga Prasad, Sankara Sandilya, Kota Prasad, Sankaramanchi Prasad and Gopalakrishna and PRO Achyutaramaiah, will participate in a host of religious activities overseas. They will perform “special poojas” such as trisati, khadgamala, lalita sahasranamarchna in 10 cities. Last June, a similar proposal was put on hold for various reasons. There were apprehensions that the priests would not be eligible for performing poojas at the temple if they crossed the seas. As per the Hindu sastras, they would not be eligible to enter the sanctum sanctorum anymore. The crossing of the seas is barred. So, the priests, who initially evinced interest, had second thoughts.
The reason for their fears—an important priest was not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum in Srisailam about two years ago for the same reason. Same thing happened when the Annavaram temple authorities planned Satyanarayana swamy vratas in the U.S. A hullabaloo was witnessed there on rules framed for the priests in the scriptures. The issue, however, was let to die down.
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While Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam priests are not ready to comment in this regard, the temple authorities say that “they got clearance” from the State government.
The buzz on Indrakeeladri is that the government is violating its own orders.
The employees recall that the then Endowments Commissioner JSV Prasad issued a circular barring the visit of priests abroad. “Even memos were issued to priests some time ago. How can the government take a decision which is in violation of its own orders,” said an employee who didn’t want to be identified.
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According to information, the team members are going to the U.S. along with their spouses. Last year, the organisers turned down the request of the priests to arrange visa for their spouses also. The team members are bearing expenses of their spouses this time, sources say.
It is also learnt that the priests who are visiting the U.S. don’t have the skills to perform Chandi homam. The team would bring disgrace to the temple as they have different expertise than the listed poojas, said another employee.
State government ‘gives clearance’
to proposal going against its
own orders