Belur MLA K.S. Lingesh said the Channakeshava Rathotsava (annual chariot festival) in Belur will be held as per the temple manual. There will be no change in the annual festival that will begin on April 4.
Speaking to mediapersons in Hassan on April 3, the MLA said that recitation of the Quran (Koran) had been going on for many years.
Earlier, a moulvi (Muslim priest) from Dodda Meduru village would read excerpts from the holy book on a pedestal. However, for the past few years, the moulvi read out the excerpts in front of the chariot.
This year, the moulvi would read out the excerpts on a pedestal, the MLA said.
Opposition to recitation of Quran (Koran) at temple festival
Representatives of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal also held a media conference where they said that they would oppose recitation of the Quran in front of the temple chariot.
“The temple manual does not mention reciting the Quran in front of the chariot. This practice should be stopped. We will protest if the administration allows it,” said Rakshith Bhardwaj, a Hindutva activist.
The VHP activists would not object if the Quran is recited in any corner of the temple premises.
Moulvi to recite Quran excerpts
Hassan Deputy Commissioner M.S. Archana said that Channakeshava Rathotsva will be held as per the tradition that has been followed all these years.
The Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments had sent a team of Agama experts to Belur to study the customs and traditions followed during the festival. As per the experts’ opinions, the commissioner issued a direction to hold the festival as per tradition.
Ms. Archana told The Hindu that all the customs would be held as per tradition. The department had also been directed to do the same. “In the past, the Moulvi recited excerpts of the Quran in front of the chariot. This time, he will be reciting the excerpts on a pedestal near the chariot,” said the officer.
