Case Filed Against Andhra's Srisailam Temple Staff For New Year Dance Inside Premises

Andhra Pradesh police have registered a case against five staff members of the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Annasatra after videos allegedly showing them dancing to film songs inside temple-related premises went viral on social media platforms.

The police said that the event took place at Mallikarjuna Annasatra, a free food service centre attached to the Srisailam temple, one of the tweleve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, during New Year celebrations, following which a case was booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

As per media reports citing the police, the case was registered based on a complaint filed by Chief Security Officer Babu. An inquiry was initiated against the staff for violating temple rules and provisions of the Endowments Act.

“The

accused staff members are alleged to have performed vulgar dances within the premises of the sacred pilgrimage centre, which hurt the religious sentiments of devotees,” NDTV reported, citing temple authorities.

📹 Srisailam | Temple Controversy

Dance videos filmed to movie songs at Mallikarjuna Sathram have sparked outrage among devotees.

Calls for strict action to prevent such incidents in the future.#Srisailam #AndhraPradesh #APNews pic.twitter.com/tee3QdP7Kw

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Mallikarjuna Annasatra Chairman Shyam said the actions of the staff had hurt the religious feelings of devotees. He confirmed that disciplinary action has been taken and that all five staff members have been removed from their duties following the inquiry.

Meanwhile, the Srisailam temple authorities have asked the managements of all satrams not to allow any kind of activities that defile the sanctity of the temple town and sentiments of the visiting devotees. The temple authorities warned of action, if such activities take place in the premises of the satrams or in the temple town.

Srisailam Devasthanam Executive Officer Srinivas Rao said that dancing or recording reels inside the temple or its associated premises is strictly prohibited. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found violating temple norms.

“Srisailam is one of the revered shrine visited by thousands of devotees and only dharmic and spiritual activities should be organised in the temple town,” he said.

Rao said spiritual discourses, ‘parayanams’, bhajans, satsang and vaidic programmes were only allowed in the satrams and any activities other than these will hurt the sentiments of the devotees. “The managements of satrams should organise progammes that imbibe devotion and spirituality among the visiting devotees,” he said.