Madhubani. The Religious Justice Council has been given the authority to look after the famous Bhagwati temple located at Uchchaith in Benipatti block area of the district, including income and expenditure and other arrangements. After hearing the various suits filed by Panda for the ownership rights of the temple, Additional District and Sessions Judge First cum Special Judge Anil Kumar Mishra ruled in favor of the Religious Trust Council, rejecting Panda’s claim. According to the information received, temple priest Dev Kumar Giri claimed that the temple land was donated to his ancestors. Its survey is also Khatian. The land is ours so I have the right on the temple. On the other hand, Bihar Hindu Judicial Religious Council said that the temple belongs to the public trust.
Notice was given to Panda
The Religious Trust Council, considering the temple and land as a public trust, had given a notice to the then Panda on 7 November 1994 asking him to submit the accounts of the temple. The council had also prepared a plan for operating the temple. But the then Panda had challenged the council’s order in the Patna High Court.
High Court had ordered re-hearing
The High Court canceled the order of the Religious Trust Council and directed for a second hearing. The Religious Justice Council, after listening to both the parties again, made a new plan for the operation of the temple. Then, expressing disagreement with the plan, the then Panda again went to the High Court. Later, Panda withdrew the petition filed in the High Court and filed a miscellaneous suit in the District and Sessions Court on March 1, 1997. Which was sent by the then District and Sessions Judge to the court of the first ADJ for hearing.
Decision came after 26 years
The case was heard in the court for 26 years. After the hearing, the court rejected the miscellaneous suit filed by Panda, saying that the plan of operating the temple of the Religious Trust Council is correct. Also, the court gave the Religious Trust Council the authority to manage the temple, its income and expenditure, and all the arrangements.
Uchchaith Bhagwati is related to great poet Kalidas.
The history of Uchchaith Bhagwati temple is linked to the great poet Kalidas. It is said that Bhagwati temple was on the banks of Thumhani river. There was a Gurukul on the other side of the river. Where Kalidas worked as a servant. The students of Gurukul used to call him Kaliya. Gurukul students used to light lamps in the temple every evening. Once during the rainy season the river was filled to the brim. The students of Gurukul sent Kalidas to the temple to light the lamp. Where Goddess Bhagwati appeared to him and blessed him to be a scholar. After this, the great fool Kaliya became famous as the great poet Kalidas.
Lakhs of devotees come to the temple, income is in crores
It is said that there was a lot of discussion about Bhagwati temple in the area where Kalidas’s case was discussed. The situation is such that at present lakhs of devotees from far flung places including Nepal visit Uchchaith Bhagwati. One day’s income is lakhs of rupees. It is being said that the income during Durga Puja will be in crores.