Now, religious school for aspiring priests

The Muzarai (Religious Endowment) Department would soon start a religious school for aspiring priests at the historic Yallamma Temple in Savadatti.

After completing a three-year course, they would get employment in the 500 higher- income temples administered by the government all over the state. The religious school will be named ‘Sri Renuka Yallamma Veerashaiva Aagam Pathashale’.

The candidates, who enroll in the three-year course would get an ‘Archak’ certificate after completion of the course. Then they can study for two more years to get an ‘Aagamik Pandit’ certificate.

The department has already prepared the syllabus for both the degree courses, and has included Sanskrit as a compulsory language.

The students would also be taught how to perform poojas and how to chant mantras, apart from lessons in Hindu mythology.

Yallamma Temple Executive Officer D K Nimbal said the temple now had two ‘aagamik pandits’, and their services would be used for teaching the aspirants.

Children of those who were already serving as priests in various temples could get admission to the school, he said.

Students studying in Sanskrit pathashala and those who had passed ‘Kavya’ examination could also be admitted in this school, he said. They should be Hindus and above 12 years of age, he added.

The department has more than 35,000 temples under its jurisdiction, of which only 500 fall under higher-income category.

At present, Yallamma Temple has 14 archaks and two aagamik pandits, who are appointed by the department. Nimbal said the government had also planned to make the religious school to be set up at Yallamma Temple a residential school soon.