Kalash installation ceremony passes off peacefully at Agonda temple

CANACONA, MAY 28
Amid fears of disruption of peace in the locality, the Nutan Kalash Prathistapan ceremony took place peacefully in the reconstructed Shri Rajani Paiek Temple at Bhurm-Agonda on Friday.
It may be recalled that on Thursday, after the two warring groups of different communities claimed right over the installation of Kalash over the reconstructed temple dome, Canacona Mamlatdar and police intervened to bring a peaceful settlement.
However, there were still fears that in spite of the settlement reached on Thursday, police teams were present to avert any trouble that may arose during the ceremony.
As agreed, only the chosen Pujari performed his rituals, blessed the Kalash for preparing it for the installation on top of the temple dome. Both the community leaders watched the ceremony from their respective places.
While police too watched the developments from a distance, some youth helped the Pujari to place the blessed Kalash over the temple’s dome.
Sources informed that it is not known to which community the youth, who climbed the temple dome to help the Pujari belongs, as with the intervention of Canacona Mamlatdar Chandrakant Shetkar and Canacona PI Raju Raut Dessai, it was agreed to keep the hands of both the communities away from the Kalash.
There were no protest from any angle over the youth presence on top of the temple dome and the entire ceremony passed off peacefully.
Sources told Herald that people appreciated the efforts of Canacona administration, especially Canacona PI Raju Raut Dessai, for tactfully settling the dispute to its logical conclusion.
It may be recalled that the parent committee Shri Lakhneshwar Devasthan (mostly consisting of Maratha/Dessai community) has under its care nine temples including Shri Rajani Paiek Temple practically controlled by Velips community and had complained to Canacona Mamlatdar that Velips are ignoring their right over the temple affairs and had even gone ahead with Nutan Kalash Prathistapan without their knowledge.
On the other hand, Velips community controlling Shri Rajani Paiek Temple believes that the temple belongs only to them and others should not exert their right over its existence.
Moreover, Velips, also known to be Mahajans of Shri Lakneshwar Devasthan, bitterly complained that they are not given their due, when it comes to Mahajans rights.