UDAIPUR , May 5 (TIWN) : Tourists coming to the Matabari Tripurasundari Temple, the biggest tourist destination of Tripura and truly the symbolic identity of Udaipur, are now scared of the temple priests(whom many tourists call Temple Mafias). Due to the unbearable mental torture by the priests, many tourists are avoiding Tripurasundari Temple. Many such tourists often prefer to enjoy the scenic beauty of Triprasundari Temple complex and leave the place without worshipping Tripurasundari - such serious allegation was raised by some tourists of Agartala who came to the temple on Sunday.

Most of them are unwilling to reveal their identity but all had the same view the administration and the Development and Management Committee of Tripurasundari Temple headed by MLA Madhab Saha(Chairman) and DM Gomati(Sevait by virtue of post) must take a serious note about the irregularities now going on here.

  Matabari Tripurasundari Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipithas. Lakhs of pilgrims, devotees and priests come here every year. But during the last six Matabari has virtually turned in to hunting ground of mafias wearing the uniforms of priests. The priests claim 'Bakshis' from the pilgrims who want to offer 'Bhogs' at the altar of Tripurasundari. Whenever, anyone refuses to agree with such demand, the priests compel them standing on the line for long. Instructions are found in the Notice Board with DM Gomati's sign on it clearly mentioning "Offering 'Bakshis' to priests is purely dependent upon the faith and satisfaction of pilgrims. No priest can force or demand 'Bakshis' from any pilgrim. " But who cares? The priests' words the ultimate order in Matabari Temple. As such debate arises frequently.

   Few days before a pilgrim named Partha Das of Agartala came to the temple with two goats with the purpose of setting them free in Tripurasundari Temple Complex as it was his desire because he felt that due to blessings of Tripurasundari his business is now going very well. But as soon as he came to temple the priests told him that the goats once being worshipped are the properties of the priests. They said that Partha could only hand over the goats to them. Partha refused to agree saying that he would set them free in public untying the ropes and anybody can catch them. At this the priests had a quarrel with him. Somehow Partha collected the mobile of SDM Udaipur Ajit Debnath and informed about this incident. SDM then instructed the Manager of Matabari temple to see what had happened. Even the Manger told SDM that usually the priests are taking such things and no one ever disputes on this issue. However, after two hours when the SDM sent an official to the temple complex, the priests allowed Partha to set the goats free in public. But within ten seconds the priest caught them and were jeering at Partha. At this Partha left the temple ; obviously humiliated. He said that this act can only be compared to the self imposed restrictions of mafias in their own areas.

   On Monday a group of journalists met the SDM Udaipur Ajit Debnath in his chamber. He accepted that such incident occured. And he too was shocked by the attitude of the priests. Later on he said that he informed the Chairman of Tripurasundari Temple Management Committee MLA Madhab Saha. Madhab Saha told the SDM over phone that the what the priests did in that case was totally illegal. However, he asked the SDM(the Secretary of Management Committee by virtue of post) to call an urgent meeting on that issue instructing all the priests to attend the meeting without fault. SDM said after 16th May when the counting of the 16th Lok Sabha poll ends, the will be called within five days prior noice. He told TIWN, " Time has come that the administration will come strongly in terms with the priests. Tripurasundari Temple is the pride of Tripura and any kind of irregularities will be dealt with strongly."

    Reacting to the laying of five eggs by one of the N-Nigricans turtles on Sunday, SDM said that a close monitoring is now on. He did not conceal his delight on this even since it was the first after 2009 that a turtle laid eggs in Matabari. He said that instructions have been given to the officials to ask the workers to give the food in the hatcheries instead of the bathing ghats so that the turtles can go there attracted by the smell. However, he said that he will suggest the engineers of Rural Development Department to have a review as to whether the length of the artificial hatcheries can be extended a little further to provide a more suitable habitat to these rare N-Nigricans turtles.