Author: HK
Publication: Haindava Keralam
Date: March 19, 2007
URL: http://www.haindavakeralam.org/PageModule.aspx?PageID=3291&SKIN=B
Big trouble is brewing over Sivalingam and
Ganesha idols fished out from the sea in the agrarian and coastal District.
Devotees are thronging Uppada to pray to the
ancient Sivalingam recovered from sea a week ago. The 'Eka Sila' shiva linga
was recovered by Christian fishermen that when it got entangled in the fishing
nets.
At first they abandoned it out of ignorance
and the Hindu fishermen in the region have started worshipping it after installing
it at a different place.
But now the Christians claim the ownership
of this powerful idol as it was them who recovered it!
This fight reached it's climax on Friday.
Uppada has people belonging to 'Christians in majority . But with the recovery
of the Shiva Lingam, Converted Christian fisherman started changing their
faith back to Hinduism after this recovery of Shiva and Ganesh idols. Fights
are ensuing at the time of re-conversion.
The administration has not so far turned up
at Uppada, to determine the age and origin of the Shivalinga. Endowments officials
are yet to find time to make a visit. Because of the apathy of Revenue officials
to the issue, fisherfolk are at loggerheads over the issue.
Certain fanatic Christian groups are of the
opinion that Sivalingam should be taken away from there as it may adversely
affect their conversion programmes.
East Godavari is notorious for rampant conversions
by force and allurement and they are very much active among the Fishermen
community over here.