FAITH DESERVES TRANSPARENCY, GOVERNANCE WITH INTEGRITY and ACCOUNTABILITY

The past few months has witnessed rumblings on the “offerings” management at religious locations with the alleged donation theft at Ayodhya, Siddhivinayak Temple, Badrinath, Dwarka and many more. The alleged scandal has revived an age old contest as to who should control revenue-rich temples. In many places religious custodians have argued for greater oversight as pilgrimage expands into a large economic enterprise. Are the donations (in kind also) and cash counting systems robust enough? Is the money and assets collected properly spent to a codetermined plan and with financial transparency? To make matters more difficult, temple management is very diverse. In UP, religious affairs are left to sects and societies and apparently none of the temples are under the direct administration of the State. In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is the reverse, though a voluminous outpouring echoes a long running temple freedom movement. This sentiment is surfacing strongly in Uttarakhand and Bengal too. The financial stakes are massive and finances are seldom disclosed. Scepticism is growing and it is time we took stock at our own sacred temples.

The Karnataka Government’s resolve to strengthen security around temple hundis through CCTV surveillance and strict monitoring is a welcome move. Every devotee wants the offerings made with faith to be protected from theft and misuse. But it also raises an equally important question closer home.  What happens to the money collected at Kodagu’s two important temples Talacauvery and Padi Igguthappa Temple? Every year thousands of devotees visit these sacred shrines. They offer cash, gold and other valuables with deep devotion. It is also customary for us to offer our produce – especially rice at both the shrines.  But how many devotees have access to the annual “collections” of these temples? Where is this money deposited? How is it utilised? Is it spent entirely on temple maintenance, daily rituals, festivals, staff salaries, preservation of heritage or on welfare activities?

These are not questions born out of distrust. They arise from a desire for transparency. Devotees have every right to know how the offerings they make in good faith are managed. Public display of annual collections, expenditure, audited accounts and development works would only strengthen confidence in temple administration. Temples are not private institutions. They belong to the faith of the people. Transparency in financial management is as sacred as the rituals performed within their walls.

The new SOPs protect the hundi from theft. The next step should be to ensure complete transparency after the hundi is opened. For Kodagu, this conversation must begin with Talacauvery and Igguthappa temple. If accountability becomes a tradition, public trust will only grow stronger. Faith calls for devotion. Good governance demands transparency and accountability. The two should always go hand in hand.

The government’s new security measures may protect the hundi from theft. The next step should be equally bold ensuring that every devotee can see how the temple’s money is spent and offerings in kind utilised. To summarise my thoughts, I consulted and took on board views of friends, relatives and elders. Let me focus on the Igguthappa Temple management and share the collective views:

• Too much civil (concrete) construction has taken place on the temple perimeters. This applies to Talacauvery too. Kodava shrines are essentially “open” to Nature and natural elements. In fact, the Malma is a perfect example of what the sanctity of our shrines were meant to be. The same applies to Makki Sarthavu and the Pannangala Thamme site. The hilltop CANNOT and should not be burdened with the weight of more concrete.
• Is there proper inventory taken of the offerings for the Tulebara, especially rice, oil, ghee and so on. Of course this is used for the meals served on the premises. Equally, in the past the abundant surplus was shared with other temples for serving meals to devotees and for those in need. What happens to the surplus now? One hears of rumours where commercial entities get discounted rice from such offerings. This must be put to rest with PROPER VERIFICATION and ACCOUNTING.
• Surplus from temple collections should be transparently used for welfare measures. To begin with proper management to prevent the annual recurrence of devastating forest fires with improved scientific management can be done.
• When we were young, we used to see lush green paddy fields in front of the Igguthappa temple. Apparently, these were appropriated with the Tenancy Act and even leasing stopped with the taking over of the Administration by the District Administration/Muzrai (?). Why can’t this be resumed as it would be most appropriate for the Harvest Festival to be celebrated at the temple with Kadd grown by the Temple authorities.
• Many important Shrines promote Education and Healthcare. Kodagu deserves more of both – Higher Education and Healthcare. Over the years with the merger of our District’s administration with Mangalore University, there has not been sufficient focus on our district. In comparison, the quality of Education and Healthcare Institutions are in abundance and of world class standards in and around Mangalore. Perhaps our local leaders including the MLAs and the Akhila Kodava Samaja could focus on such issues with greater impact or outcomes.
• Lastly, there is a prominent Bhaktha Sangha at Igguthappa Temple with no administrative powers. It is not clear when the management of these two most important sacred shrines were handed over to the Muzrai. Perhaps it is time to collectively review and revisit the management of these shrines, with proper checks and balances to the community.

When faith is placed in public institutions, accountability is not a burden – it is a sacred responsibility.