Ancient Temple renovations

[Vinayaka]

Occasionally I read stories of old temples being renovated. Here's an example: Ancient temples renovated in Talur village

There are many factors that lead to the temples becoming run down in the first place. One is diversion of money into taxes by state or local governments. Another is natural wear and tear. Yet another the rural to urban demographic shift, which is only more recently catching on in India.

In western countries, like in western Canada where I am, in 100 years, the shift has gone from 90%rural10%urban to 10%rural90%urban. So no people, no church. In one local county that used to house some 67 rural Catholic or Orthodox churches, I think less than 30 are standing, and only 3 are in regular use.

In India, we still need these temples in villages, partly to counter all the conversion antics, and also just as a hub for the village. Conversion tactics are fed with western dollars. It's great to see some companies like in the story above, but also governments and individuals. Many temples also take part. Palani, for example, supports 14 smaller temples in around the pilgrim town.

So its encouraging. Two things would really help ... and end to proselytizing, and an end to governments confiscating money intended for temples. Of course large corporations could do more as well.

 

[DeviChaaya]

But @Vinayaka ji! IF WE DON'T TAKE ALL THE MONEY GIVEN TO TEMPLES HOW WILL FUND THE HAJ?

 

[sayak83]

Occasionally I read stories of old temples being renovated. Here's an example: Ancient temples renovated in Talur village

There are many factors that lead to the temples becoming run down in the first place. One is diversion of money into taxes by state or local governments. Another is natural wear and tear. Yet another the rural to urban demographic shift, which is only more recently catching on in India.

In western countries, like in western Canada where I am, in 100 years, the shift has gone from 90%rural10%urban to 10%rural90%urban. So no people, no church. In one local county that used to house some 67 rural Catholic or Orthodox churches, I think less than 30 are standing, and only 3 are in regular use.

In India, we still need these temples in villages, partly to counter all the conversion antics, and also just as a hub for the village. Conversion tactics are fed with western dollars. It's great to see some companies like in the story above, but also governments and individuals. Many temples also take part. Palani, for example, supports 14 smaller temples in around the pilgrim town.

So its encouraging. Two things would really help ... and end to proselytizing, and an end to governments confiscating money intended for temples. Of course large corporations could do more as well.

Do governments confiscate money intended for temples? How does that happen.
Maybe we should strongly encourage politicians not to make their own temples and preserve temples of actual Gods?

'Amma Aalayam': Soon, a temple for Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa

 

[Aupmanyav]

BJP government has not till now done anything about temples or Hinduism, though they have been vociferous about protection to cows. I hope they will do something about it.

Vinayaka, one problem about preservation of temples is that they are many a times far from inhabited areas. All old temples cannot be revived.We also need to have very drastic rules about theft and trade of idols.

 

[Vinayaka]

BJP government has not till now done anything about temples or Hinduism, though they have been vociferous about protection to cows. I hope they will do something about it.

Vinayaka, one problem about preservation of temples is that they are many a times far from inhabited areas. All old temples cannot be revived.We also need to have very drastic rules about theft and trade of idols.

I agree about the uninhabited areas. That would still leave a lot in need of work. The idol theft problem is getting better now with the aid of cameras.

 

[Vinayaka]

Do governments confiscate money intended for temples? How does that happen.

'Amma Aalayam': Soon, a temple for Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa

You did not know this? That's surprising. The government takes control of temple, temple lands, etc. and then feels free to use the hundi funds in whatever way it deems, a transfer to general revenue for example, or the selling off of temple owned lands, profit back to general revenue. The original idea was to use it for the temple itself, but now, sometimes as little as 10% goes into the temple running.

http://indiafacts.org/government-control-hindu-temples-presentation/

 

[sayak83]

You did not know this? That's surprising. The government takes control of temple, temple lands, etc. and then feels free to use the hundi funds in whatever way it deems, a transfer to general revenue for example, or the selling off of temple owned lands, profit back to general revenue. The original idea was to use it for the temple itself, but now, sometimes as little as 10% goes into the temple running.

http://indiafacts.org/government-control-hindu-temples-presentation/

Ah, basic underhanded corruption and mismanagement typical of most govt run systems.
But no, govt. should not be in the business of running temples apart from ensuring fair access and archaeological maintenance. I see the SC making some good decisions on this recently.
In my community, we are not very tied to big temples. As I told you, we have a family run Kali temple and have local people support the public festivals of Durga, Kali, Saraswati etc. Both Kali Ghat and Dakhineswar is being managed well enough as far as I can see with quite a lot of good development being done. So I was less aware of the controversies about these things in other states.

 

[Vinayaka]

Ah, basic underhanded corruption and mismanagement typical of most govt run systems.
But no, govt. should not be in the business of running temples apart from ensuring fair access and archaeological maintenance. I see the SC making some good decisions on this recently.
In my community, we are not very tied to big temples. As I told you, we have a family run Kali temple and have local people support the public festivals of Durga, Kali, Saraswati etc. Both Kali Ghat and Dakhineswar is being managed well enough as far as I can see with quite a lot of good development being done. So I was less aware of the controversies about these things in other states.

I've never read the history, and I'm sure each temple is different. But I suspect, things like the family that ran the temple losing interest, or moving, and other circumstances lead to the government taking over, for the people. But then over time, corruption sets in. Running temples isn't easy, but certainly accusing a family of mismanagement, and then taking over under false pretenses would be unrighteous.

 

[sayak83]

I've never read the history, and I'm sure each temple is different. But I suspect, things like the family that ran the temple losing interest, or moving, and other circumstances lead to the government taking over, for the people. But then over time, corruption sets in. Running temples isn't easy, but certainly accusing a family of mismanagement, and then taking over under false pretenses would be unrighteous.

As I said, government should not run any religious institution whatsoever. Logistical and archaeological maintenance is of course something it can do.

 

[Vinayaka]

As I said, government should not run any religious institution whatsoever. Logistical and archaeological maintenance is of course something it can do.

So, if a temple falls into disarray because of the family moving on, nobody volunteering to sit on a board, the treasurer dying, no priest willing to work there, or a huge variety of other things, just who should step in and help? What exactly do you propose as a viable solution?

 

[sayak83]

So, if a temple falls into disarray because of the family moving on, nobody volunteering to sit on a board, the treasurer dying, no priest willing to work there, or a huge variety of other things, just who should step in and help? What exactly do you propose as a viable solution?

If people are still using the temple as a place of worship, there will be volunteers who will wish to look after it. Otherwise, unless it does have a historical legacy, it should be closed down. What makes a temple a sacred place are the people who come and worship there. Without them a temple is not a temple. Old places of worship fade away and new places of worship come up all the time. It's a cycle, just like everything else is it not?

 

[Vinayaka]

If people are still using the temple as a place of worship, there will be volunteers who will wish to look after it. Otherwise, unless it does have a historical legacy, it should be closed down. What makes a temple a sacred place are the people who come and worship there. Without them a temple is not a temple. Old places of worship fade away and new places of worship come up all the time. It's a cycle, just like everything else is it not?

Yes. But the OP was about temples that are in use, but still badly need renovations. Volunteers don't necessarily have the money or the resources to renovate. But I suppose if there is a will, there's a way. One of the problems, as I see it, is that your average devotee just comes to a temple to get darshan, to worship, and isn't privy to any of the more external goings on behind the scenes, or evn who the temple management actually is.

 

[sayak83]

Yes. But the OP was about temples that are in use, but still badly need renovations. Volunteers don't necessarily have the money or the resources to renovate. But I suppose if there is a will, there's a way. One of the problems, as I see it, is that your average devotee just comes to a temple to get darshan, to worship, and isn't privy to any of the more external goings on behind the scenes, or evn who the temple management actually is.

The panchayat or the city-block council can certainly be used to raise awareness of the needs of a temple that is being used by many but falling in disrepair. But still the effort does eventually needs to come from the people who use the temple themselves. Maintenance of God's home is the responsibility of the bhakta-s, whether its at home or neighborhood temple.

 

[Vinayaka]

The panchayat or the city-block council can certainly be used to raise awareness of the needs of a temple that is being used by many but falling in disrepair. But still the effort does eventually needs to come from the people who use the temple themselves. Maintenance of God's home is the responsibility of the bhakta-s, whether its at home or neighborhood temple.

Yes I agree. Still it helps if companies, bigger temples. NRIs etc. can give back. The original article was about a company. But who is to say if that was just PR or not? The ancient large temples simply cannot be replicated now, because of prohibitive cost. We'll never get back the looting and outright destruction factor. I can't see the European museum thieves, the Muslim invaders and destroyers, or the government suddenly developing a conscience to give back to the devotees what is rightfully theirs.

Still, things are changing for the positive, albeit slowly.

 

[sayak83]

Yes I agree. Still it helps if companies, bigger temples. NRIs etc. can give back. The original article was about a company. But who is to say if that was just PR or not? The ancient large temples simply cannot be replicated now, because of prohibitive cost. We'll never get back the looting and outright destruction factor. I can't see the European museum thieves, the Muslim invaders and destroyers, or the government suddenly developing a conscience to give back to the devotees what is rightfully theirs.

Still, things are changing for the positive, albeit slowly.

Umm yes, to that I agree completely. I was saying (and agreeing with what you said earlier) that the govt. should not be in the business of running temples, as they seem to be keen on doing in some states. This leads to mismanagement, party politics vitiating temple atmosphere, patronage for political gains, using temples as captive audience to promote political influence, and general corruption.

 

[Aupmanyav]

We should create something like SGPC (Sri Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee) as the Sikhs have it, and keep it away from government interference and politics.

 

[Vinayaka]

We should create something like SGPC (Sri Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee) as the Sikhs have it, and keep it away from government interference and politics.

Indeed. It's coming. Having seen the destruction and loss of morale caused by government control, many should be stepping up.

 

[Vinayaka]

Here's more news on getting the temples back.

Improving the conditions of our temples, while trying to wrest them from the control of the Government -

 

[Aupmanyav]

Nice to learn about that.