Widow priests at Kudroli Temple joined duty after ten days leave: Poojary

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 28, 2013: Former union minister Janardhan Poojary said that as per the statement given in the media, the two newly-appointed widow priests at Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatheshwara Temple have not gone missing, but have taken ten days leave after the Dasara.

Speaking at the press meet held at Kudroli Temple auditorium on Oct 28, Monday, he said that the temple management do not impose any restrictions to the two priests and after the long leave they are back to their duty last week.

Poojary said that these priests can come and go any time and if they wish they can also perform puja’s in other temples also.

Commenting on the devotees statement of refusal to accept Prasadam from priests for not performing puja according to the ritual, he said that devotes do not need a mediator between them and god if they really pray with full devotion.

He also clarifies that he has not taken opinion from the temple management while appointing the priests and none of the members opposed the decision and this initiative was praised worldwide.

At present another women has come forward to be a priest and the temple management has started the training. Further too the temple will welcome other women priests and will be trained.

He also urged chief minister Siddaramaiah to appoint women as priests in all 36,000 temples across the state in order to respect women.

Temple management committee members H S Sairam, Harikrishna Bantwal, Padmaraj and others were present.