Kantharpura Mahakali Vad: Gujarat’s religious heritage under sheer neglect

Once known as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project, the development of the Kantharpura Mahakali Vad in Dehgam, Gandhinagar, has come to a standstill.

There have been allegations of grave negligence in the development of this area ever since Modi moved to Delhi. No CM, minister, or leader from the ruling party thereafter has shown keenness in the project.

The initial plan included the protection, nurturing, and development of this vast 500-year-old banyan tree, spread over 2.5 acres. However, departments like Roads and Buildings, Estate, Forest, and the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board (GPYVB) are said to have made negligible progress for it.

In a recent occurrence, several branches of the tree broke off. Villagers, especially the trustees and priests of the Mahakal temple, have been making efforts to protect the tree.

Kantharpura in the shadow

Local villagers, priests, and the trustees of the Kantharpura Mahakal temple allege that officials visiting the site don’t care enough to meet the villagers or listen to their concerns.

A construction project, allegedly to be developed as a museum, has been built near the temple. The president of the temple trust said, “Officials are only interested in the museum. They come, see the incomplete museum, take pictures, and leave.”

Villagers complain, “The road has not been built, a market has come up under the shade of the banyan tree, but it is not being removed, there is no sanitation or drinking water facility for people, and no parking. The dharamshala has been demolished and a museum structure has been built, but there is no certainty when it will be completed.”

Locals and elders of the village allege, “If we had been given the responsibility of protecting the tree and its branches, it would not have broken like this. The government has done nothing and has not allowed us to do anything. We are angry that a government that talks about religion is only filling its pockets.”

A path to faith erased off govt records

Some time ago, the government took over the administration of the temple and its surroundings for ‘development purposes’. The bus stand near the temple and a large water tank in front of it were demolished without any alternative arrangements, allege the villagers.

Over time, as the tree grew and its branches bent, a branch that blocked the entrance to Kantharpura bent further, and buses were no longer able to pass under it, forcing the closure of the bus stand.

The temple authorities have to order 40-50 pots of water daily, and during festivals, a tanker of water is ordered daily.

The government departments have not even provided basic toilet facilities for people. A mobile toilet has been placed behind the temple, which is filthy, and there is no facility to clean  it.

Notably, the road connecting Kantharpura village and the Mahakal Vad temple is also in a dilapidated condition.

A resident of Kantharpura village and the president of the temple trust said, “We went to Gandhinagar several times and talked to GPYVB and Roads and Buildings Department officials about the development of our village road, but no one is bothered. Some shameless officials even tell us that ‘if Modi told you that the village road would be developed, then bring the map and papers from him. Our documents don’t show your village roads on the map’.”

A borewell has been suddenly dug up on this 500-metre road. Instead of digging a borewell behind the museum, it was dug in the middle of the road, causing inconvenience to people.

Villagers allege that crores of rupees have been granted, but no development is reflected whatsoever.

They allege that the government did not build even a small room for the temple priest for three years, and when the temple trust and villagers built it on their own, the officials pressured them, claiming that they had built the room illegally.

Notably, after reports from Gujarat Samachar, the authorities have swung into action and initiated the procedure to remove the encroachments surrounding the banyan tree.

However, local traders operating there have demanded alternative arrangements for them.

Under the shed of divinity

The banyan tree, with the Mahakali Goddess temple houses below, holds immense faith among its followers and sees people from around the globe converging to offer prayers and fulfil their vows every year.

A temple priest said, “More than 500 years ago, there was a statue of Mahakali Goddess among the banyan trees in Kantharpura village. Some villagers would go among the banyan trees and light lamps and offer prayers. It was difficult for the villagers to worship. People sought the permission of the goddess and cut some branches of the tree, and this temple was constructed right below it. There are two idols of the goddess in the temple. The old idol has been kept at the new spot, while a new idol has been placed in the old spot where priests worshipped.”