Somnath temple to restrict entry of non-Hindus

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

Somnath temple to restrict entry of non-Hindus
Located on Saurashtra coast of the Arabian Sea, Somnath temple enshrines the first of 12 jyoritlings of Lord Shiva in the country and is considered sacred by Hindus.
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• Express News Service| Rajkot |Published on:June 4, 2015 1:15 am
  Non-Hindus will have to seek prior permission before entering the world-famous Somnath temple near Veraval town in coastal Gir Somnath district of Gujarat as the temple administration has decided to regulate the flow of non-Hindu visitors.
  
  Shree Somnath Trust (SST), a religious trust which manages the temple, put up three public notices at the main entrance and Digvijay Dwar on Monday. The notices ask non-Hindus to seek permission of the trust before entering the main temple. “Shree Somnath Jyotirling is a religious place of Hindus. Non-Hindus will be allowed entry for darshan in this pious religious place of worship only after they contact the office of the general manager and get his due permission,” reads the notice written in Gujarati.
  
  Located on Saurashtra coast of the Arabian Sea, Somnath temple enshrines the first of 12 jyoritlings of Lord Shiva in the country and is considered sacred by Hindus. In the mediaeval era, the temple was a great place of worship and wealth. It was also considered a symbol of pride of the Hindus. But due to its wealth, foreign invaders attacked it six times and plundered its wealth. After Independence, the temple was rebuilt with Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel, then Union Home Minister and Rajendra Prasad, then president of India playing leading roles.
  
  SST has eight trustees, four of whom are nominated by Gujarat government while the remaining four being nominees of the Central government. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel is incumbent chairman of the trust while Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, veteranBJPleader LK Advani and retired chief secretary of Gujarat, Pravin Laheri are its trustees. Harshvardhan Neotia, chairman of Ambuja Realty Group, Rajen Kilachand, chairman of UAE-based industry house Dodsal Group and JD Parmar, a retired college principal are other trustees of the SST.
  
  However, SST said on Wednesday that they were merely following rules of the temple. “We had received several complaints through letters and emails from Hindu pilgrims about the presence of non-Hindus on the temple premises. Security personnel also used to remain in a dilemma about the presence of non-Hindus. As Hindus, we have right to manage and maintain our religious places. It is like if you go to certain religious places, you have to cover your head. Also, there is a clause in our trust deed to regulate the entry of non-Hindus. We are merely following it more rigorously now,” Laheri, who is also secretary of SKT, toldThe Indian Express.
  
  Laheri added that there was nothing new in the notice boards. “Through these notices, we have merely clarified the position. Security personnel keep on changing, therefore, all of them will not be aware of the rules. But now they will know that this is the rule. Therefore, those who come for non-religious purpose will have to seek permission,” he said.
  
  The secretary further said that permission will be granted on the spot if the trust finds the reason of visit genuine. “To get a permission, a non-Hindu visitor will have to give his name and address and we will maintain…
  a record. Earlier, we did not use to maintain such records,” said Laheri.
  
  
  - See more at: Somnath temple to restrict entry of non-Hindus | The Indian Express
  
  

 

[I.R.A]

How are they going to determine if one is Hindu or posing as a Hindu ?

Don't point to zipper of my pants okay

 

[Levina]

On topic
This type of controversies brings bad image for the country. Moreover this will destroy moderate & humble image of Hindu religion all over the world.

This is not the first time a temple borad has taken such action.

There are several other famous temples across India that disallow non-Hindus to enter their place of worship, Rediff.com lists some of them.

Guruvayur Temple, Kerala

This temple located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala permits only Hindus to enter the worship place dedicated to the god Krishna. Considered one of the most important temples in Kerala and one of the five famous Krishna/Vishnu temples in India, it follows a strict dress code.

Men have to remove their shirt and wear a mundu. Women are allowed to wear only sarees and girls have to wear a skirt and blouse.

The debate over the ban on non-Hindus entering Hindu temples began around 30 years ago when singer Yesudas, who planned to take part in a music programme, was stopped at the Guruvayur temple gate. He finally had to sing bhajans outside the temple wall. Though several temples in Kerala have signs saying that non-Hindus are denied entry, few of them enforce it as strictly as the Guruvayur temple, which insists on following its distinct traditions.

Jagannath Temple, Puri

‘Only Orthodox Hindus are allowed’, reads a signboard hanging from the Lion's Gate of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri. The issue has triggered many a controversy in the past and continues to arouse strong feelings even today.

The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for many Hindu traditions and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages that a Hindu is expected to make in one's lifetime.

In the past a number of dignitaries, including former prime minister Indira Gandhi, had not been allowed to enter the 12th century shrine because she had married a Parsi, Feroze Gandhi. In 2005, the Queen of Thailand Mahachakri Siridharan was not allowed inside the temple as she was a follower of Buddhism.

In 2012, an American, Noel Magee Hayden, was allegedly beaten up by temple security personnel when he attempted to climb 'Nandighosh', the chariot of Lord Jagannath during the world famous Rath Yatra.

In 2006, the shrine did not allow a citizen of Switzerland named Elizabeth Jigler, who had donated Rs. 1.78 crore to the temple because she was a Christian.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Image: On the banks of The Ganges in Varanasi or Kashi. Photographs: Seema Pant/Rediff.com
Located in Varanasi, the temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. The most famous of the many temples in Varanasi is the one dedicated to Vishveswara -- Shiva as lord of the universe. The gleaming gold spires give it the name, Golden Temple.

Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, although this is not always enforced. On the northern side of Vishwanath Temple is the Gyan Kupor well. Non-Hindus are strictly not allowed to enter here.

Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar

The temple is the most prominent landmark of the Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.

Lingaraja temple is maintained by the Temple Trust Board and the Archeological Survey of India. The temple has an average of 6,000 visitors per day and receives lakhs of visitors during festivals.

In 2012, a 35-year-old Russian tourist created quite a flutter after entering the 11th century temple that is off limits to non-Hindus. Rituals at the temple were disrupted for nearly four hours following the foreigner's entry. Priests performed a purification ritual and dumped the Lord's cooked prasad worth above Rs 50,000, sources said.519Add to cart
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala

The temple, which has references in Epics and Puranas, was built in the 16th Century by the kings who ruled over the then kingdom of Travancore. Local legends say the Travancore kings sealed immense riches within the thick stone walls and vaults of the temple.

It is said to be the richest Hindu temple in the world. Emergence of the temple as one of the richest Hindu shrines in the world has also thrown up security concerns with police as an interim step deploying two platoons of armed personnel. According to the temple sources, the treasure trove has been so far estimated at around Rs 90,000 crore.

The number of foreigners visiting the temple has increased considerably, but unfortunately non-Hindus are not allowed inside.

Kapaleeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

Built around the 7th century CE in Dravidian architecture, this Shiva temple in located at Mylapore, in Tamil Nadu.

Foreigners and non-Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent.

Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath. This temple complex which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list since 1979 was erected anew in the 15th century by King kirat Yalamber.

The area of Pashupatinath encompasses 264 hectre of land including 518 temples and monuments.

Entry into the inner courtyard is strictly monitored by the temple security, which is selective of who is allowed inside. Practicing Hindus and Buddhist of Indian and Tibetan descendent are only allowed into temple courtyard. Practicing Hindus of western descent are not allowed into the temple complex along with other non Hindu visitors. Others can look at the main temple from adjacent side of the river.

 

[jaatram]

Non hindus would require a prior permission to visit the temple. Not like they have been totally barred.

 

[Juggernautjatt]

This is not the first time a temple borad has taken such action.

There are several other famous temples across India that disallow non-Hindus to enter their place of worship, Rediff.com lists some of them.

Guruvayur Temple, Kerala

This temple located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala permits only Hindus to enter the worship place dedicated to the god Krishna. Considered one of the most important temples in Kerala and one of the five famous Krishna/Vishnu temples in India, it follows a strict dress code.

Men have to remove their shirt and wear a mundu. Women are allowed to wear only sarees and girls have to wear a skirt and blouse.

The debate over the ban on non-Hindus entering Hindu temples began around 30 years ago when singer Yesudas, who planned to take part in a music programme, was stopped at the Guruvayur temple gate. He finally had to sing bhajans outside the temple wall. Though several temples in Kerala have signs saying that non-Hindus are denied entry, few of them enforce it as strictly as the Guruvayur temple, which insists on following its distinct traditions.

Jagannath Temple, Puri

‘Only Orthodox Hindus are allowed’, reads a signboard hanging from the Lion's Gate of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri. The issue has triggered many a controversy in the past and continues to arouse strong feelings even today.

The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for many Hindu traditions and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages that a Hindu is expected to make in one's lifetime.

In the past a number of dignitaries, including former prime minister Indira Gandhi, had not been allowed to enter the 12th century shrine because she had married a Parsi, Feroze Gandhi. In 2005, the Queen of Thailand Mahachakri Siridharan was not allowed inside the temple as she was a follower of Buddhism.

In 2012, an American, Noel Magee Hayden, was allegedly beaten up by temple security personnel when he attempted to climb 'Nandighosh', the chariot of Lord Jagannath during the world famous Rath Yatra.

In 2006, the shrine did not allow a citizen of Switzerland named Elizabeth Jigler, who had donated Rs. 1.78 crore to the temple because she was a Christian.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Image: On the banks of The Ganges in Varanasi or Kashi. Photographs: Seema Pant/Rediff.com
Located in Varanasi, the temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. The most famous of the many temples in Varanasi is the one dedicated to Vishveswara -- Shiva as lord of the universe. The gleaming gold spires give it the name, Golden Temple.

Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, although this is not always enforced. On the northern side of Vishwanath Temple is the Gyan Kupor well. Non-Hindus are strictly not allowed to enter here.

Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar

The temple is the most prominent landmark of the Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.

Lingaraja temple is maintained by the Temple Trust Board and the Archeological Survey of India. The temple has an average of 6,000 visitors per day and receives lakhs of visitors during festivals.

In 2012, a 35-year-old Russian tourist created quite a flutter after entering the 11th century temple that is off limits to non-Hindus. Rituals at the temple were disrupted for nearly four hours following the foreigner's entry. Priests performed a purification ritual and dumped the Lord's cooked prasad worth above Rs 50,000, sources said.519Add to cart
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala

The temple, which has references in Epics and Puranas, was built in the 16th Century by the kings who ruled over the then kingdom of Travancore. Local legends say the Travancore kings sealed immense riches within the thick stone walls and vaults of the temple.

It is said to be the richest Hindu temple in the world. Emergence of the temple as one of the richest Hindu shrines in the world has also thrown up security concerns with police as an interim step deploying two platoons of armed personnel. According to the temple sources, the treasure trove has been so far estimated at around Rs 90,000 crore.

The number of foreigners visiting the temple has increased considerably, but unfortunately non-Hindus are not allowed inside.

Kapaleeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

Built around the 7th century CE in Dravidian architecture, this Shiva temple in located at Mylapore, in Tamil Nadu.

Foreigners and non-Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent.

Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath. This temple complex which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list since 1979 was erected anew in the 15th century by King kirat Yalamber.

The area of Pashupatinath encompasses 264 hectre of land including 518 temples and monuments.

Entry into the inner courtyard is strictly monitored by the temple security, which is selective of who is allowed inside. Practicing Hindus and Buddhist of Indian and Tibetan descendent are only allowed into temple courtyard. Practicing Hindus of western descent are not allowed into the temple complex along with other non Hindu visitors. Others can look at the main temple from adjacent side of the river.

I know,, infact there are also some temples where entry of low caste Hindus is also banned.
What you think is the right thing to do as Hindu religion is already facing a lot criticism for these type of invidious practices ?

 

[Levina]

I know,, infact there are also some temples where entry of low caste Hindus is also banned.
What you think is the right thing to do as Hindu religion is already facing a lot criticism for these type of invidious practices ?

In my opinion every believer should be allowed to visit a religious place, be it temple or a mosque, but after a thorough security check.

 

[Prajapati]

Where was this security in 1024 when Afghan dacoit Mehmud Gazni entered without permission.

On topic
This type of controversies brings bad image for the country. Moreover this will destroy moderate & humble image of Hindu religion all over the world.

OH NO ..... that is terrible.

Hindus should now start eating BEEF to correct this image. .................. maybe we should revert back to "hindu rate of growth" to reclaim the "humble poor miserable image" that the world finds so comforting.

I know,, infact there are also some temples where entry of low caste Hindus is also banned.
What you think is the right thing to do as Hindu religion is already facing a lot criticism for these type of invidious practices ?

That is right, in such temple's people have to carry their caste certificates to enter and pray

Do you think if we make growing hair, wearing underwear, carrying a knife etc compulsory, we can correct this ?

 

[Bitter Melon]

I know,, infact there are also some temples where entry of low caste Hindus is also banned.
What you think is the right thing to do as Hindu religion is already facing a lot criticism for these type of invidious practices ?

There are no such temples which bans low caste Hindus.

 

[Prajapati]

There are no such temples which bans low caste Hindus.

Blasphemy !!!!

Don't you know its only the Sikhs who has eliminated "caste" and thus declared their superiority ? You ignorant sanghi.


BTW ..... is the "jatt" from "juggernautjatt " upper caste or lower caste ?

 

[Bitter Melon]

Blasphemy !!!!

Don't you know its only the Sikhs who has eliminated "caste" and thus declared their superiority ? You ignorant sanghi.


BTW ..... is the "jatt" from "juggernautjatt " upper caste or lower caste ?

Jatts are lower caste but become a political force and now discriminate against all other castes.

 

[Juggernautjatt]

In my opinion every believer should be allowed to visit a religious place, be it temple or a mosque, but after a thorough security check.

yes, but those security checks should be for all not based on partisanship.

OH NO ..... that is terrible.

Hindus should now start eating BEEF to correct this image. .................. maybe we should revert back to "hindu rate of growth" to reclaim the "humble poor miserable image" that the world finds so comforting.


That is right, in such temple's people have to carry their caste certificates to enter and pray

Do you think if we make growing hair, wearing underwear, carrying a knife etc compulsory, we can correct this ?

Hello buddy how is you brainwash session in RSS camp going on ?

There are no such temples which bans low caste Hindus.

Dalit musician banned at Guruvayoor temple | The Indian Express
Ban on Temple Entry for Dalit — A New Charter Needed - Mainstream Weekly
there are other several news google them.
My intention is not to defame any religion but I wonder what will be the reaction of Hindu extremists if other religions in India impose ban on entry of Hindus in their religious places.

Jatts are lower caste but become a political force and now discriminate against all other castes.

Get your facts right Jatts are in general category list.

 

[mooppan]

Blasphemy !!!!

Don't you know its only the Sikhs who has eliminated "caste" and thus declared their superiority ? You ignorant sanghi.


BTW ..... is the "jatt" from "juggernautjatt " upper caste or lower caste ?

There are many local village deity temples in Tamilnadu(like many in Madurai,Nellai,Dharmapuri districts),which bans Dalits entry..

 

[Bitter Melon]

Dalit musician banned at Guruvayoor temple | The Indian Express
Ban on Temple Entry for Dalit — A New Charter Needed - Mainstream Weekly
there are other several news google them.
My intention is not to defame any religion but I wonder what will be the reaction of Hindu extremists if other religions in India impose ban on entry of Hindus in their religious places.

You should read the article you posted. The temple is open to all HIndus. The Dalit man was not banned from entering the temple or worship, but only from playing his elathalam there.. It is the tradition of the temple is Marars are the only ones who can play the instruments there. So even if a Brahmin had asked to play the elathalam he would have been denied permission.

 

[Bitter Melon]

There are many local village deity temples in Tamilnadu(like many in Madurai,Nellai,Dharmapuri districts),which bans Dalits entry..

More rubbish and Christian disinformation campaign stuff. Tamil Nadu for long has been the bastion of anti-Brahminical politics. Such an occurrence would have resulted in the shut down of the temple.

Mosques ban ahmadi Muslims to enter.. What's the big deal

It is a big deal if it happens in Hinduism. Such a thing will be opposed. We are not Islam.

 

[Jackdaws]

In Bombay, the Zoroastrian fire-temples don't allow non-Parsis to enter - this is emblazoned prominently outside the fire temples. I am against bans in any public places - but what is good for the goose, should be good for the gander - you can't have different yardsticks for different religions.

I don't see how they will be able to enforce this ban. At most, they can probably stop the Caucasian and Japanese tourists who too will be allowed after paying some "donation."