BANGALORE, INDIA October 8, 2005: The Karnataka High Court on October 7 stayed the Government notification bringing under the purview of the Muzarai Department (a department of the government which governs many Hindu temples in the state) the Sharavu Maha Ganapathi (Vinayaka) Temple of Mangalore. A Division Bench comprising Justice S.R. Nayak and Justice C.R. Kumaraswamy passed the order on a petition by the temple authorities. The petitioners contended that the temple cannot be included in Muzarai Department, and this is illegal and arbitrary. The Government said that a list of temples and institutions to be brought under the purview of the Muzarai Department have been drawn up after a single judge on September 9, 2005, upheld the Karnataka Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Act, 1997, including the Government’s right to appoint an Endowment Commissioner, audit temple funds, appoint Archakas (priests), constitute a committee to monitor the temple affairs, and create a common pool fund. The Government said the name of the temple figured in the list of temples and institutions to be included under the purview of the Muzarai Department. Granting an interim stay, the bench adjourned further hearing on the case.
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