Bengaluru’s Historic Someshwara Temple Halts Weddings Amid Rising Divorce Disputes

Bengaluru: Someshwara Swamy Temple, counted among the oldest temples in Bengaluru, has stopped conducting marriages for the last few years. Hundreds of couples used to take seven rounds in this temple built during the Chola period, but now marriages are not taking place here. Many devotees were surprised to hear the reason for this—temple priests say that he was now spending more time visiting courts to testify in divorce cases than conducting marriages.

Temple administration worried due to increase in divorce cases

It has now come to light that marriages in the temple have been stopped for the last six or seven years. Earlier this tradition was going on for centuries, but increasing controversies changed the situation. According to reports, due to the increase in divorce cases, priests were being called to court repeatedly, as they act as witnesses at the time of marriage.

This temple is also known as Ulgur and Halsur Temple. Built in the 12th century, this Shiva temple is located in Halsur, one of the old areas of Bengaluru. The marriages taking place here were considered very sacred, and every year a large number of couples came here to get married.

Sudden surge in divorce cases

According to the temple administration, around 50 divorce-related complaints came to them in the last two years alone. Ten years ago this number was less than five.

Gradually it also came to light that many young couples ran away from home and got married by showing fake documents. After a few days the family members would reach the temple, and the matter would turn into a dispute. In many cases, legal battles would also ensue, in which the priests would have to appear in court repeatedly.

V. Govindaraju, chief administrative officer of the temple committee, said that such incidents could affect the reputation of the temple. For this reason the decision was taken to stop the marriage.

Problems increased due to repeatedly calling priests to court

The executive officer of the temple wrote to the Chief Minister's Office saying that it was becoming difficult for the priests to go for testimony again and again. Their main role is to offer prayers, not to resolve divorce disputes.

Mixed reaction from devotees

Many devotees supported the administration's decision, believing that it would preserve the dignity of the temple and free up the priests' time for religious activities. But some people called it an attack on tradition and said that it is not right to stop a ritual like marriage.

Supreme Court lawyer Amish Aggarwala said that puja and other rituals in the temple will continue as before; only wedding ceremonies have been temporarily stopped. The decision may also be changed in the future considering the situation.

In South India, getting married in temples is considered auspicious. But increasing problems in divorce cases have forced Someshwar Temple to distance itself from conducting new marriages for the time being.