The Govardhan Mutt, Puri was excluded from the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment Act 1952 and made an autonomous body by an amendment to the Act in the State Assembly on Saturday.
“The Gobardhan Mutt, established by the Aadi Shankaracharya, is linked to the Shree Jagannat Temple in Many ways. The Shankaracharya is the head of the Mukti Mandap and he has a special ritual at the Rath Yatra. Besides, the Shankaracharya is accepted as the topmost Hindu religious leader. While Shankaracharya mutts at three of the four Dhams have been made independent, we also propose to make Govardhan Mutt, Puri an autonomus body,” said Law Minister Pratap Jena while moving the amendment bill for discussion and passing.
Initiating discussion, Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra opposed the Bill saying the present Shankaracharya is not naming self as “Debatirtha’ which is a requisite to head the Gobardhan Mutt. After a discussion, the Bill was passed.
