Idagunji Mahaganapati Temple rituals suspended due to priest dispute

Rituals at the renowned Idagunji Mahaganapati Temple in Uttara Kannada have been suspended during the Navratri festival due to a dispute among the hereditary priests. The conflict stems from long-standing legal battles regarding temple rights and the distribution of puja commission income.

Following a High Court order, a District and Sessions Judge from Karwar was appointed as the receiver to manage the temple. The three families of the hereditary priests—the families of the late Shivaram Bhat, Lakshminarayana Bhat, and Parameshwara Bhat—traditionally perform rituals on a rotational basis.

Currently, the family of Manjunath Bhat is scheduled to perform the rituals. However, Manjunath Bhat has boycotted the puja, citing the withholding of commission funds for the past four months. This follows a legal petition by Narayan Bhat's family in the Honnavar court requesting that funds not be released to Manjunath Bhat's family until a court verdict is reached.

Thousands of devotees have expressed significant dissatisfaction as they are unable to participate in formal rituals, often being forced to offer prayers from outside the temple premises.