Tempers flare as Umbango temple is demolished
Vanessa Pillay, the granddaughter of the original owner of the temple, Yankama Munusamy has started a petition 'Soldiers of the Divine Mother' on Facebook to have the temple rebuilt.
Emotions ran high after a temple on a private property in Umbango, Port Shepstone was demolished this week.
Claims have been made that the temple was being used by devotees from the community, however the owner of the property, Denzil Krishna said it was built by his family for personal use.
“The temple was being used by the Shree Mariaamman Temple, Umbango Temple and the Shiven Temple.
“About 100 devotees visited the temple throughout the year. Guru Keren Naidoo was the residing priest who cleaned and took care of the temple,” said Mala Appalraju, executive committee member of the Umzikluluwana Mariamman Temple in Port Shepstone.
ALSO READ: International pundit visits temple
Through his attorney, Ridwaan Moola of RM-Inc. Attorneys, Mr Krishna issued the following statement:
“As the current owner of the property, I am aware of the allegations made regarding the issues at hand. The building was built by family for personal use by family for their prayers. As time progressed, and as family scattered, thereafter entered vagrants, loiterers, and was surrounded by bush. The area became a hotspot for illicit activities. The need arose to renovate the surrounding buildings on the property and I acted within property owner’s rights by removing the building. Prior to removing the building, I offered and was in contact with temples to remove contents. I invite the necessary Associations to contact me to provide them with information and to respond further.”
Vanessa Pillay, the granddaughter of the original owner of the temple, Yankama Munusamy has started a petition ‘Soldiers of the Divine Mother’ on Facebook to have the temple rebuilt.
The temple was originally located in Albersville where it was built in 1915.
According to Ms Pillay, after her grandfather’s death in 1952, her grandmother who was uneducated was robbed of her land.
She said her grandmother, being a stubborn old woman, said she would move ‘Amma’ (the temple) if she had somewhere to take her to.
She was offered a spot in Umbango and 63 years ago the temple was moved to this site, behind a shop known as Joey’s, now owned by Mr Krishna.
Mrs Appalraju also consulted a lawyer to negotiate on her behalf to buy the property, but the owner refused to sell.
“He wanted the temple relocated and we refused since it was holy ground. A puttu similar to the one at Mount Edgecombe temple was growing inside,” she said.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
