HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA July 27, 2016 (Press Trust of India): The Himachal Pradesh government is all set to take over the famous Raghunathji temple in Sultanpur palace of erstwhile ruling family of Kullu under its control, as a proposal in this regard has been approved by the state cabinet. President of Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) and former BJP leader, Maheshwar Singh who is descendant of ruling family is chief Kardar (caretaker) of Raghunathji temple. Raghunathji is the presiding Deity of about 300 local devatas (gods) of the region and all festivities revolve around Him during the famous international Dussehra festival.
Maheshwar said he was yet to be informed about the cabinet’s decision and “necessary legal action would be taken if the government initiates the process of taking control of the temple under the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 1984”. The Raghunathji temple was in the news following theft of the Deity of Raghunathji along with other artefacts in December, 2014, which were later recovered.