HR&CE shuns Kanchi Acharyas

CHENNAI: 'Power corrupts' is the common refrain. But, can it humiliate people? Sometimes yes. Particularly, if they happen to lose it overnight. In the case of Acharyas who staged a triumphant return to Kanchi last Wednesday, the latter seems to be more appropriate.
For, the seers who till recent past had an overwhelming say in the affairs of Hindu temples across the State are now faced with a kind of ex-communication - demoralising and demeaning - by all means.
Yes, the Acharyas today feel slighted. Not by the temple dieties. But by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department which controls and runs the affairs of Gods' own Abodes!
HR&CE had made it into an unwritten practice to consult the Kanchi seers on all important matters pertaining to its 2,400 temples in the State. Especially, when it came to the conduct of 'kumbabishekam' (consecration ceremony) it looked forward to the Kanchi diktat as to when, how and by whom the ceremony should be conducted. In fact, 'kumbabishekams' are held for over 50 HR&CE managed temples every year across the State on an average.
However, after the November 11, 2004 arrest of Jayendra Saraswathi in con-nection with the brutal murder of Sankar Raman, Varadharaja Perumal temple manager, things have changed. In the post-November 11 scenario, HR&CE has shunned the Kanchi seers in toto. It now plans and holds 'kumbabishekams' keeping the seers in dark.
The Katchapeswarar temple at Kancheepuram and Tirunageswara Kamakshi Amman temple at Kunrathur near Poonthamalli where 'kumbabishekams' were held on Friday, the seers had no invitation. They're also not invited for the 'kodimara prathishtai' (installation of 'dwajasthamba) at Ekambareswarar temple again in Kancheepuram which took place on Wednesday.
'Kumbabishekams' are soon to be held in, Kadambanatha Swamy temple, a few kilometers from Kancheepuram and Kaleeswarar temple at Cheetha-namchery. However, the seers have been kept incommunicado of these ceremonies.
When this was pointed out to Mutt officials, they confessed HR&CE has set in a very sad and unfortunate precedent. ''There's a person who's watching all these from above. It'd be better for the ones at the helm of affairs not to forget this reality'', they caution trying to hold back the affliction.
While none of the HR&CE officials were ready to comment on the issue, one official who also happens to be an ardent devotee of Kanchi Acharyas, on condition of anonymity, admits it's wrong to humiliate the seers by not involving them in the temples' affairs. ''But, how can one individual fight the collective will of a government? It's a helpless situation'', he explains.
Meanwhile, for the HR&CE, the Kanchi seers continue to remain untouchables.