KOPPAL
Vidyadas Baba has officially resumed his role as the chief priest of the Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple at Anjanadri Hill, located in Chikka Rampur village—believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. This follows the Supreme Court’s directive to the Karnataka government on May 27, instructing that he be allowed to continue performing puja and other religious rituals after he challenged his dismissal and the government’s attempts to take control of the temple.
Upon his return, Vidyadas addressed devotees, declaring, “Truth has prevailed.” He assured that the temple premises would be maintained with cleanliness and that religious activities such as Sanskrit Pathshala, Homa, Havan, and Hanuman Chalisa chanting would be held regularly. Special pujas every Saturday will also be organized, with free food provided to devotees.
The conflict began in 2018 when the state government sought to bring the temple under the Muzrai department’s control through the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1997. Vidyadas and his family, who have managed the temple’s rituals for over 120 years following the Ramanandi tradition, strongly opposed this move.
The Supreme Court’s order temporarily halted the government’s takeover, reinforcing a 2023 High Court interim order allowing Vidyadas to continue his religious duties and reside in the temple’s priest quarters. While acknowledging the Muzrai department’s administrative authority, the court upheld the Pandit family’s right to uninterrupted worship and their accommodation on the premises. Prior to 2018, the temple was independently managed by the Kishkinda Trust and the Pandit family without government intervention.