Mardol: The image of Goa has become land of casinos, beaches with half-naked women, ‘sunburn’ etc. ; is this really the culture of Goa? Why is temple culture in Goa not being promoted?; Recently Goa government has started promoting temple culture which is a good thing. After the construction of the ‘Kashi Vishweshwar Corridor’ in Uttar Pradesh, 8 crore tourists visited there in one year, while in Goa, promoting casinos, beaches, festivals like ‘Sunburn’, only 73 lakh tourists visited Goa last year. So why should temple tourism not be promoted in Goa?; However, not only tourism, but religious tourism that preserves the sanctity of temples should be promoted, said National Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Shri. Ramesh Shinde.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Gomantak Mandir-Religious Institution Parishad organized by the Gomantak Mandir Federation and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti at the Singhpurush Hall in the premises of Sri Mahalsa Mandir in Mardol. On this occasion, Secretary of Gomantak Temple Association Shri. Jayesh Thali, ‘Social Media Influencer’ and a staunch Hindu devotee Mrs. Shefali Vaidya and Sadhguru Nilesh Singbal, preacher of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, were present.
The conference started with the lighting of the lamp by dignitaries. After this, the message of Pithadhishwar Padmashri Sadguru Brahmeshanandacharya Swamiji of Tapobhumi, Kundai was read by Vedamurty Kedar of Srikshetra Tapobhumi. The founder of Sanatan Sanstha Satchidananda Parabraham Dr. Jayant Athawale’s message was read by Sanatan Sanstha Sadhak Shri. Yuvraj Gawkar. The message of Srimad Sivananda Saraswati, Pitadhish Swami of Sri Gaudpadacharya Mutt at Ponda. was also read on this occasion.
Gomantak Temple Mahasangh Secretary Shri. Jayesh Thali while making the introduction said, “A temple is a place where God is present. Temples are a source of peace of mind in today’s hectic life and one can without spending money can experience peace. Our forefathers have passed on the heritage of temples to our generation by enduring many atrocities. This makes conservation and preservation of temples imperative. The temple trustees should contribute to strengthening the organization by creating closeness among themselves.
Mr. Ramesh Shinde further said in the guidance, “In some places in Goa, there are disputes between trustees, mahajans, priests, etc. Due to this, ligation are going on. Today, 5 crore cases are pending in the courts and one has to wait for generations to get justice. Therefore, the internal disputes of the temples should be resolved among themselves through religious scriptures and Dharmacharyas. If we depend on secular governance to get justice, the government gets the right to interfere in temples and it has dire consequences.
‘Social media influencer’ and a strong Hindu devotee Mrs. Shefali Vaidya said on this occasion, “Goa used to have a magnificent temple culture. These temples were the centers of Marathi education, culture. Goa was connected with Indian culture through these temples.
The Portuguese, spying on this, first stopped education in Marathi language and then destroyed the temples with the aim of destroying this culture of the Hindus. Temples are educational, social and spiritual centres. Schools used to be held in temples, kirtans, bhajans, pujas were performed in temples, so Hindu children were connected to temples from childhood. Temples are an ancient institution that reflects Indian history and culture. The structure of the temple is Mukhmandapa, Sabhamandapa, Garbhagriha and Shikhar and this structure resembles the structure of human body. The idol in the temple is the real connection between the soul and the soul of man.” The conference was attended by about 250 temple trustees, committee members, devotees etc. Mrs. Sumedha Naik and Shri. Rahul Vaze compere the programme
