Have you ever heard that divorce cases increase so much that temples have to stop marriages? This is what happened at the Chola-era Someshwara Temple in Bengaluru – where the priests were attending to court dates more than performing rituals. After all, what was the compulsion for this historic decision?
Bengaluru. The 12th-century Chola-era Someshwara Temple in Bengaluru’s Halsuru area, which has been considered a sacred place for Hindu weddings for centuries, has now stopped conducting weddings. This decision is not only shocking for the devotees, but it has also raised many questions among the people. The tradition of weddings in the temple was so old that many couples used to take seven rounds in front of Lord Shiva every day. But the huge increase in divorce cases in recent years, incidents of runaway couples showing fake documents and priests being repeatedly called to testify in the court forced the historic temple to take a big decision.
Did divorce cases force priests to go to court?
The biggest difficulty for the priests of Halsuru Someshwara Temple was that as witnesses of the marriage, they not only had to perform the rituals, but later when the couples started separating, they were also called to testify in the court. According to reports, the temple had to be involved in more than 50 divorce or marriage dispute cases in the last two years. Whereas about a decade ago, the number of such cases every year was less than five, that is, divorce cases increased manifold and this had a direct impact on the temple administration and priests.
What effect did runaway couples and fake documents have on the image of the temple?
In a report by The Indian Express, temple administration official V. Govindaraju said that many young couples used to run away from home and show fake documents for marriage. When families came to know about these marriages, parents would reach the temple, disputes would arise, complaints would arise and the matter would often reach the court. The temple administration says that such incidents had started affecting the reputation of the temple. In many cases, parents alleged that the temple got the marriage done without proper investigation.
Is the temple’s centuries-old marriage tradition in danger?
Someshwara Temple was built during the Chola period and due to its architecture, history and religious significance, it was one of the most preferred venues for weddings in Bengaluru. Vedic weddings held under the gopuram of the temple were the hallmark of this place. But the increasing cases of divorce directly challenged this sacred tradition. The executive officer of the temple clearly wrote in an official communication that “the decision to stop marriages has been taken to save the priests from legal troubles.” Now many devotees are calling it a step to protect the safety and honor of the temple, while some say that it is a loss of cultural traditions.
Can marriages start again in future?
According to Supreme Court lawyer Amish Aggarwal, the temple administration has stopped marriages at present, but the policy can be reviewed in future. That is, this step is not permanent, but considering the current circumstances, this decision is considered necessary. Getting married in temples is considered auspicious in South India and many families choose such ancient temples over big hotels or marriage halls. But when such places themselves started getting embroiled in legal disputes.
Is the increasing trend of divorce changing our marriage traditions?
This whole matter is not the decision of just one temple. This also indicates that the changing thinking in the society, increasing instability in relationships and increasing cases of elopement and marriage have started having a direct impact on religious institutions as well. This ancient temple of Bengaluru has become a great example that in modern times even traditions have to take steps according to legal responsibilities and social changes.