Bengaluru: Someshwara Swamy Temple, counted among the oldest temples in Bengaluru, has stopped conducting marriages for the last few years. Hundreds of couples used to take seven rounds in this temple built during the Chola period, but now marriages are not taking place here. Many devotees were surprised to hear the reason for this—temple priests say that he was now spending increasingly time visiting courts to testify in divorce cases than conducting marriages.
Temple wardship worried due to increase in divorce cases
It has now come to light that marriages in the temple have been stopped for the last six or seven years. Earlier this tradition was going on for centuries, but increasing controversies reverted the situation. According to reports, due to the increase in divorce cases, priests were stuff tabbed to magistrate repeatedly, as they act as witnesses at the time of marriage.
This temple is moreover known as Ulgur and Halsur Temple. Built in the 12th century, this Shiva temple is located in Halsur, one of the old areas of Bengaluru. The marriages taking place here were considered very sacred, and every year a large number of couples came here to get married.
Sudden surge in divorce cases
According to the temple administration, virtually 50 divorce-related complaints came to them in the last two years alone. Ten years ago this number was less than five.
Gradually it moreover came to light that many young couples ran yonder from home and got married by showing fake documents. After a few days the family members would reach the temple, and the matter would turn into a dispute. In many cases, legal battles would moreover ensue, in which the priests would have to towards in magistrate repeatedly.
V. Govindaraju, senior legalistic officer of the temple committee, said that such incidents could stupefy the reputation of the temple. For this reason the visualization was taken to stop the marriage.
Problems increased due to repeatedly calling priests to court
The executive officer of the temple wrote to the Senior Minister's Office saying that it was rhadamanthine difficult for the priests to go for testimony then and again. Their main role is to offer prayers, not to resolve divorce disputes.
Mixed reaction from devotees
Many devotees supported the administration's decision, yoyo that it would preserve the nobility of the temple and self-ruling up the priests' time for religious activities. But some people tabbed it an wade on tradition and said that it is not right to stop a ritual like marriage.
Supreme Magistrate lawyer Amish Aggarwala said that puja and other rituals in the temple will protract as before; only wedding ceremonies have been temporarily stopped. The visualization may moreover be reverted in the future considering the situation.
In South India, getting married in temples is considered auspicious. But increasing problems in divorce cases have forced Someshwar Temple to loftiness itself from conducting new marriages for the time being.
