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There
have been connections of Kashi Mutt Samsthan, Gokarna Mutt as well as
Kaivalya Mutt with the Manjeshwar Srimad Anantheshwar Temple for many
centuries. There are 2 Vrindavans of previous Swamijis of
Kashi Mutt at
Manjeshwar and a branch of Kashi Mutt. The Kashi Mutt at
Manjeshwar, is
housing the Vrindavans of Shri Vibhudhendra Tirtha and
Shri Vasudhendra Tirtha
Swamijis.
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Below
is a Write Up from Late
Shri M Ananth Bhakta about the
connections of the Temple and Kashi Mutt.
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In
the beginning let me write a few lines about the existence of age long
respect and love between the Gowda Saraswath Brahmans of Manjeshwar and
the Kashi Mutt. We have enjoyed a special Status with the Mutt but it
was and is a humble one. We have been the traditional humble servants of
the Mutt and we used to be at the service of the Swamiji whenever His
Holiness required it. There is no question of Bhinnahapatra for the
visit of His Holiness and He can visit Manjeshwar as his will without
consulting us and we had to and have to obey His orders and to be at His
service whenever liked and decided by His Holiness. I do not think any
other place enjoys this humble privilege. It must not be confused to
mean that we do not submit any Binnahapatra to His Holiness at all. We
have done and will do it in future also to invite His Holiness for any
special occasion. But it will never dilute the power of His Holiness to
visit our places at His will. One of the reasons for this unique
position might be the fact that our Temple, unlike our other Temples,
belong to Eighteen Petahs (Towns). And though the Temple is in Manjeshwar, the
Gowda Saraswaths of all the Eighteen Petahs have
interest and voice in the administration of it. So, naturally His
Holiness has an extra responsibility as far as our place and the Temple
is concerned.
Many of the past Heads of the Mutt have contributed and donated in cash,
kind and jewellery to the Temple at different times and their generous
aid is enormous. Many of the Heads have also sacrificed their personal
interest and toiled for the Temple. Many instances can be given to prove
it but it will become a long story. I wish to give here the example of
late revered His Holiness Srimad Bhuvanendra Theertha Swamiyar who was a
great Savant, Saint and Scholar. At His time the Oracle of the Temple
was not functioning and He wanted to make it function once again. It
should be noted the Oracle of this Temple is different from the Oracles
that are in vogue in our other Temples and it was and is held in great
reverence. He toiled and worked hard for it but His efforts did not bear
fruit. As a last resort His Holiness offered Sathyagraha before Lord
Anantheshwar by fasting with Pepper paste smeared all over His body.
What a sacrifice for the Temple? God Anantheshwar was moved by His
sacred penance and the Oracle manifested as prayed by Him. This instance
shows how deeply the Heads of the Mutt were interested in our Temple and
Their love and respect for it and its welfare. It would be noted that
many of the donations and contributions to the Temple coffers by our
community leaders and people were entirely due to the influence wielded
by the heads of the Mutt. The Temple owes its rich and affluent position
to the revered Heads of the Mutt who toiled for the Temple.
At one time the administration of the Temple was an ideal one. The
supreme Head of the administration was the head of the Mutt. And under
Him there were two hereditary Trustees belonging to two respectable
families of the place and under their control were Chowgules (four
persons) belonging to four responsible families of the place who
functioned in turn and managed the daily affairs of the Temple and it
was working very satisfactorily. Unfortunately, due to internal quarrels,
litigation and personal rivalry, the Temple became a cockpit for
personal fight. And this ended in the notification of the Temple by the
Government. It should be noted here that though the powers of the Heads
of the Mutt diminished as regards the internal administration, Their
position as the Head of the community and Their power in regard
religious and spiritual affairs were not affected at all. Now thanks to
the efforts of Late Shri Ananda Baliga the Temple has been declared as a
sectional and Gowda Saraswath one and it is the sacred duty of our
community wherever they may be to rally round His Holiness and see that
His original position and power is restored.
I humbly appeal to our community to rise to the occasion, sink their
differences and strengthen the hands of His Holiness and see that proper
steps are taken to restore His Divine Authority over the Temple.
Now coming to the Sahasra Kalashabhishekam of the Temple which will be
performed in the immediate presence and personal guidance of His
Holiness it will be the third Abhishekam as far as our Temple is
concerned. The first and the second were performed at the time of Srimad
Bhuvanendra Theertha Swamiji and Srimad Sukratheendra Theertha Swamiji
respectively. Now the third will be celebrated and it is being performed
not only for increasing the Sanctity of the Temple but also for the
general welfare of our community and it is the Sacred Duty of everyone
of us to rally round His Holiness and make it a grand success.
BY LATE SHRI M ANANTH BHAKTA, MANJESHWAR
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Srimad
Anantheshwar Temple, Manjeshwar India