Once again, the Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA), Vasco, is in the news for restricting access to the Ayyappa Temple at Varunapuri, Vasco. This is not the first time such an order has been issued. Every year, devotees face restrictions on visiting the temple on security grounds. Last year, a similar situation arose concerning the Ram Mandir at Varunapuri, where the Kali Mandir and a chapel are also located. The issue was eventually resolved following the intervention of the local MLA. The Ayyappa Temple has been in Varunapuri for nearly 60 years. As devotees prepare for their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine, they observe a 40-day fast and visit the temple daily to seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. The sudden order restricting access to the temple has therefore caused considerable confusion and inconvenience among local residents and devotees.
Although there is a naval school and a residential complex near the temple, the road connecting these establishments to the new highway is a common access route. The Goa Government must intervene to restore access to the temple and explore the possibility of providing the naval establishment with a separate entry and exit route. The Navy may have its security concerns, but the interests of local residents must also be considered. Fighter jets and aircraft regularly undertake test flights and manoeuvres during the afternoon and evening, creating considerable noise in the residential areas of Varunapuri. Despite the disturbance, residents have largely refrained from raising objections.A meeting with the Collector and the local MLA has been scheduled for Monday to find a solution. The local MLA must stand by the interests of residents who have lived in the area for decades and ensure that a separate route is provided for naval personnel without disrupting devotees’ access to the temple. With the Makar Sankranti festivities approaching, the authorities must resolve the issue at the earliest and ensure that devotees can continue their religious practices without unnecessary restrictions.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
