look news india
Aurangzeb controversy: The atmosphere in Maharashtra has been hot for the last few days regarding Aurangzeb’s tomb. Violent clashes also occurred in Nagpur. The Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had demanded that the state government demolish the tomb of Aurangzeb. These groups warned that if the temple is not broken till Shiva Jayanti, they would take the matter in their hands. There is a sharp debate between the party and the opposition on this issue, but in the midst of all this, Hindu religious places are facing economic crisis.
Reduction in the number of devotees in Hindu temples
The impact of the ongoing tension in the state is also being seen on temples. There has been a drastic decline in the number of devotees in several temples, including Ghneshwar Jyotirlinga, Bhadra Maruti, Girija Devi Temple and Sulibhanjan Dutt Temple at Sambhajinagar. The number of people at the Devgiri Fort has also decreased, where there is usually a crowd. All these tourist places are located near each other.
The Dhneshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. On normal days, 20,000 devotees come here every day. The number goes above 40,000 on weekends and Mondays. However, the trustee of the temple Yogesh Topare said that there has been a huge decrease in the number of devotees due to unrest. In the last three days, only 18,000 to 20,000 devotees came to visit the temple and after the Nagpur riots, this number has come down to only 5,000.
40% reduction in Bhadra Maruti temple
The ancient Bhadra Maruti Temple is famous for the unique statue of Hanuman sitting in sleeping posture. There are also about 15,000 devotees per day, but due to this dispute, the number of devotees has decreased by 40%.
Local businesses around the temples have also suffered heavy losses. Worship materials, flowers, offerings and sellers selling religious souvenirs have fallen by 70% in sales.
Impact on tourism
This dispute has also affected tourism in the region. The number of tourists visiting the Ellora caves and the Daulatabad Fort has decreased, affecting the local economy. Many devotees and tourists have canceled their pilgrimage programs due to security related concerns.