New Delhi: A day after Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha participated in prayers at the Martand Sun temple in Anantnag, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials on May 9 said that the event was in violation of rules.ASI officials said that no permission was sought from the conservation body for these prayers. They added that the issue has been raised with the Union Territory administration.Sinha took part in the ‘Navgrah Ashtamangalam pooja’ at the ancient temple premises for which priests were called from outside the Union Territory.“We have raised our concerns with the district administration. They have been sent a message that it is a violation of our rules. No permission was sought from us for the prayers. The Lieutenant Governor did not hold the prayers inside the temple, but outside it. However, even that is a violation,” an official of the ASI told PTI on the condition of anonymity.Rule 7(1) of the 1959 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains, states that meetings, receptions, parties, entertainment or conferences cannot be held at a protected monument without permission in writing from the Union government.Rule 7(2) says this should not apply to any event held “in pursuance of a recognised religious usage or custom”.Also read: With Delimitation Now Complete, J&K Politicians Allege Further Disempowerment of KashmirAccording to the rules, if a site was a functional place of worship when it came under the jurisdiction of the conservation body, then it would continue to be a place of worship, officials said.However, the Martand Sun Temple was not such a site, so permission had to be sought, the officials said. Such protected sites that were functioning places of worship when the ASI took charge of them include Jamia Mosque, Srinagar, and the Fatehpur Sikri mosque.The eighth-century Martand Temple is one of the oldest sun temples in India and a symbol of invaluable ancient spiritual heritage. It was said to have been destroyed during the rule of Sikandar Shah Miri between 1389 and 1413, the Indian Express reported.According to the newspaper, this is the second religious ceremony to be held at the temple over the past few days.On May 6, over 100 pilgrims held prayers for a few hours at the ASI-protected temple, the daily reported. The contingent, led by Maharaj Rudranath Anhad Mahakal, carried a saffron flag with Om written on it, as well as a Tricolour. The pilgrims chanted ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and blew conches.This is the first time prayers were organised at Martand. Rudranath told the daily that the idea behind offering prayers was to “revive Maa Bharat” as Kashmir was her “head and brain”.(With inputs from PTI)
