Deity’s sanctum sanctorum locked, tension runs high in Ashwem

Bhumika Devasthan sees clash between two factions of Sawant clan; cops intervene as one group alleges pooja being hindered due to safety measures imposed by another
Deity’s sanctum sanctorum locked, tension runs high in Ashwem
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Team Herald

PERNEM: Tension prevailed between two groups of the Sawant families over the locking of the sanctum sanctorum of Bhumika Devasthan at Ashwem in Pernem taluka. One group stated that they were unable to perform the pooja, while the other group claimed that the sanctum sanctorum was locked for safety reasons, as the deity was adorned with gold ornaments.

Upon receiving the information, the Mandrem police rushed to the temple and pacified both warring groups. One of the villagers, Sitaram Sawant, said that when he, along with eight other villagers, went to the temple, they found the sanctum sanctorum locked. As a result, they could not perform the pooja. They claimed that they were maankari (a hereditary title) designated to perform certain religious ceremonies in the temple and that they should not be prevented from carrying out their ceremonies as per tradition.

The other group stated that they had locked the sanctum sanctorum because they had placed gold ornaments on the deity. “What we did was for security purposes, as we had put gold ornaments on the deity being the first day of Navratri and nobody stays in the temple.”

Pernem Deputy Collector Shivprasad Naik also held a meeting with both groups and stated that the dispute would be resolved by the temple committee according to the bye-laws. He mentioned that the Navratri programmes would proceed as scheduled and that he had convened a meeting of both groups on Friday in an effort to resolve the dispute.

The Deputy Collector further remarked that he intervened in the matter solely to maintain law and order at Ashwem.

Meanwhile, in Pissurlem, Sattari, the Navratri Utsav could not commence at Ravalnath Devasthan, Pissurlem, as the priest failed to offer flowers to the deities according to tradition. Hanuman Parab, a resident of Pissurlem, reported the matter to the Dattatray Taluka Mamlatdar, Dhiren Banavalikar, who later called a meeting with the temple managing committee and Parab to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, the residents of Parsem, Pernem and students of Shri Durga High School, Parsem welcomed the Sarvajanik idol of Goddess Durga on Thursday. The day marks the commencement of the nine days Navaratri festival celebrations. On the occasion, the students staged performance with live lezim music. The nine-day festival, which symbolises the victory of good over evil, will conclude on October 12.

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