Foundation Devastated over Collapse of Sri Kalahasti temple tower; HAF Calls for End to Government Management of Temples

June 1, 2010


FOUNDATION DEVASTATED OVER COLLAPSE OF SRI KALAHASTI TEMPLE TOWER

CALLS FOR END TO GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT OF TEMPLES


San Ramon, CA (June 1, 2010) - The Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
reacted with shock at the May 26th collapse of a tower of the famous
Sri Kalahasti temple near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra
Pradesh. The temple, a place of great historical significance, was a
revered place of worship for millions of Hindus.  Leaders also
extended condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating
collapse.

Contrary to several media reports citing King Krishnadevaraya of the
Vijayanagar empire as having built the temple, Krishnadevaraya built
only the now collapsed tower in 1516 CE, bringing the temple to its
current form.  Evidence reveals the temple to have been constructed
much earlier. Historical literary references to the temple are found
in the works of Nakkeerar, a Tamil poet in 3rd Century BCE during the
Tamil Sangam period, who called it the "Southern Kailash." And
inscriptions in the temple, as well as the architecture, also indicate
that the Chola, Pallava, Pandya and Vijayanagar dynasties had all
contributed to the temple over the centuries. The temple had also been
visited by a number of the prominent saints throughout Hindu history,
including Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the four most well known among
the Nayanars as well as the 63 Tamil Saivite saints who lived during
the 3rd to 8th centuries CE.

"It is tragic that what would be considered a national monument in any
other country was simply allowed to collapse in this manner as a
result of the callous disregard of Andhra Pradesh State Government
officials," said Padma Kuppa, a member of HAF's Executive Council and
a native of the state of Andhra Pradesh. "That nothing was done about
the cracks in the tower, which were first reported over a decade ago,
at worst speaks to incompetence, and indeed corruption, of those
responsible for preserving India's heritage." Most recent media
reports indicate that the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has
promised to reconstruct the collapsed tower with the help of the
Archeological Survey of India.

HAF leaders held that this latest tragedy highlighted again the unique
challenges Hindus face in India as the only faith community whose
places of worship are often under financial and management control by
ostensibly secular state governments in India.   Andhra Pradesh as
well as many other state governments administer and manage most major
Hindu temples in India today.

"It is ridiculous that governments, sometimes run by the Communist
Party of India in states such as Kerala and West Bengal, arrogate unto
themselves the right to manage temple affairs including the conduct of
religious rituals," said Swaminathan Venkataraman, a member of HAF's
Board of Directors. "The fact that only Hindu institutions are subject
to such treatment while churches and mosques are not makes a mockery
of Indian secularism."

HAF reported urgent pleas from its members over the last week calling
for state governments in India to entrust Hindu temples to reputable
and well-organized Hindu religious organizations, including the Hindu
Dharma Acharya Sabha, to provide Hindus the same opportunities for
autonomous management enjoyed by other faith traditions.

"Hindu Americans today would like to preserve historically significant
sites, not only for their own pilgrimages (thirthas) to Hindu holy
sites, but also for future generations," Venkataraman added.

The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan
organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding,
tolerance and pluralism.

Contact HAF at 301.770.7835 or on the web at www.HAFsite.org.

For media inquiries, please contact:
HAF Managing Director/Legal Counsel
651.248.3883
or email Suhag Shukla at suhag at hafsite dot org