"Orissa Government not protecting lands belonging to Puri Govardhan Mutt and Temples!", says Puri Shankaracharya!

Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati on Thursday March 23rd, 2017, slammed the Orissa state government for failing to protect lands of Mutts, Temples and other religious institutions. His outburst coincided with the government forming a nine-member committee to probe alleged land usurpation in and around Swargadwar crematorium.

"Government never accorded due priority to temples and Mathas. Neglect of the government and collusion of government officials with land mafias resulted in the usurpation of hundreds of acres of land of Goverdhan Matha and properties of other temples", He said.

Gobardhan Mutt, the seat of the Shankaracharya of Puri, on Tuesday alleged that huge patches of land belonging to the Mutt have been illegally encroached upon and demanded the state government to evict the encroachers from the land.
The Mutt also alleged that several hotels and commercial buildings have been constructed over the land used as 'samadhi pithas' (burial ground) for Monks of the Mutt.

"Initially the Mutt had around 16 acres and 400 decimal of land in its name. But over the years only five acres are with the Mutt. Some hotel owners and businessmen in nexus with the government officers encroached upon large portion of the mutt's area and have constructed buildings. We have brought this to the notice of the authorities several times but no action is being taken," said Manoj Rath, spokesperson of the Mutt.
He said, despite Odisha high court's order to clear encroachment from two patches of land nothing has action has been taken. "There were also evidences that some patches of land were sold using forged documents and without taking permission of the mutt. But surprisingly the government is sitting over the matter," said Rath.

The Mutt also sought autonomous status from state government like other three Mutts of Shankaracharya in the country including Shringeri, Dwaraka and Badrinath.
"Unlike other three mutts of Shankaracharya, Gobardhan Peeth of Puri has been managed as per Jagannath Temple Act and Endowment Act. We demand the government to grant autonomous status to the Mutt," Rath added.

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Source: Times of India

"Rulers are interfering in Religious Matters!" --- Puri Shankaracharya.

"The revolutionaries sacrificed everything to fight for independence of this country. If we see the condition from independence till now, is this India as envisioned by them ? If every citizen thinks about dreams of revolutionaries, there will be clarity on changes required to be made in this country", said Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati while answering queries of ‘jidnyasus’ in a program held at Harsiddhi Mandir hall on 12th December at Ujjain. Swami Nirvikalpanand Maharaj and Mahant ‘Pujya’ Shekharanandji Maharaj from Ujjain were present.

Swami Shankaracharya said further, “Rulers, who are interfering in religious matters, are killing ‘Raj-Dharma’. Temples and education, these fields come under Dharma; but rulers have control even over these fields, which is extreme anarchy.”

Regarding Uniform Civil Code, he said, “What is the meaning and base of this law ? Under the law of ‘Uniform Civil Code’ who are going to be treated uniformly ? All will come behind Hindus or Hindus will be taken behind others ? It will victimize only Hindus.”

Regarding problems faced by Hindus, he said, “Hindus have no competitors; but they have several foes. Nobody can challenge Hindus on science and behavior. It is an ancient tradition and cannot be eliminated in a jiffy. Today, the world is ready to adopt Hindu Dharma; but India’s rulers and people are not ready to accept it which is unfortunate.”

Regarding reservation, Shankaracharya said, “We are staunch followers of reservation as prescribed in Hindu Dharma. Our Dharma had designed style of living of every individual under ‘Varnashrama’. There are no jobs still the Government is talking about reservation and oppressing people. Nobody is using the knowledge available in India; therefore, people from other countries are using this knowledge. The whole world is ready to adopt Hindu Dharma; however, our rulers and people are not ready to adopt Hindu Dharma. Even then, our Dharma is the absolute Truth and Truth will find its way.”

Shri. Yogesh Vhanmare presented flowers and fruits on behalf of Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and sought blessings of Shankaracharya. He was also given a copy of ‘Sanatan Prabhat’s issue.

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Source: www.hindujagruti.org

Puri Shankaracharya went on 'Fast until Death' in 1966 protesting Cow Slaughter!

Sri Sankaracharya HH Nischalananda Saraswati Swamigal of Puri will undertake a “fast unto death” at Bombay on November 20,  the Gopashtami Day, to press the demand for banning cow slaughter in the country, Mr. Prabhu Dutta Brahmachari, President, All-Party Goraksha Samiti, told Pressmen here [Cuttack] today [October 14].

Mr. Brahmachari said that he would also resort to a “fast unto death” at Golak Ashram in Brindaban in Uttar Pradesh on the same day and appealed to all Hindus to observe “token fast” from sunrise to sunset on November 20. He said that about five lakh people would hold a demonstration in front of Parliament on November 7 in support of their demand.

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News clip from The Hindu archives in 1966! He is the center in the last picture.