Reins of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar temple handed over to Muzrai Dept

Karwar: Complying to the August 10 order of the Karnataka High court, Sri Ramachandrapura Math on Thursday handed over the control of the Sri Mahabaleshwara temple at Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district to the Muzrai department.

In 2008, the then BJP government led by BS Yeddyurappa had handed over the reins of the Sri Mahabaleshwara temple to the Sri Ramachandrapura Math. The move met with opposition from the temple priest, who sought legal recourse. 

Hearing the petition, the state high court on August 10 contended that the government order of 2008, denotifying the temple from the control of Muzrai Department and its subsequent handing over to the Math was unauthorised and illegal one. The court also ordered constitution of an oversight committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner Uttara Kannada district to look after the temple affairs.

On Thursday, August 23 Deputy Commissioner SS Nakul visited the temple, inspected the documents and handed over the same as also the jewellery and other assets of the temple to the Muzrai department