Sat Dec 07 03:51:10 UTC 2024: **Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Temple Festival Mired in Controversy Over Idol Procession**
**Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, December 5, 2024** – The annual Champashashthi Yatra festival at the Khandoba temple in Satara village, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is embroiled in controversy over the procession of the main deity. The dispute centers on whether a replica or the original idol should be paraded during the traditional procession.
For years, the procession has followed a route including the Dandekar family residence. However, the temple’s president, Ramesh Chopde, and secretary, Saheb Rao Palsakar, advocate for using a replica, citing concerns raised by villagers. They argue that no tradition dictates taking the original idol to a private residence and that many villagers opposed this practice after the original jagirdars left. Furthermore, the temple trust has previously passed a resolution against moving the idol during the festival.
The temple trust sent a letter to the Archaeological Department on November 8, 2024, raising several questions about the Dandekars’ claim to proceed with the original idol. However, the Department has yet to provide a written response. This lack of response has fueled the ongoing dispute, with the temple trust stating they will proceed with a replica procession if a written response isn’t received by the end of the festival.
Dilip Dandekar, Vitthal Devkar, and other trustees disagree, insisting on using the original idol based on alleged verbal permission from the Archaeological Department.
Jaya Vahane, Assistant Director of the Archaeological Department, stated that since the original idol is not kept at the temple premises, the department’s jurisdiction is limited. They advised the temple to conduct the procession with full security measures. The controversy continues to divide the village, raising questions about tradition, authority, and the proper handling of a significant religious artifact.
First Piper 