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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.
Below is a
Write Up from Late
Shri
M Ananth Bhakta
about the
connections of the Temple and Kashi Mutt.
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
