http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/At_this_Gandhi_temple_religion_doesnt_matter/articleshow/3578332.cms
At this Gandhi temple, religion doesn't matter 10 Oct 2008, 0226 hrs IST, Sandeep Mishra,TNN SAMBALPUR: Amid riots and communal fires burning across Orissa, people are visiting a temple at Sambalpur that doesn't bar entry of anyone from any r eligious community. Hindus, Christians and Muslims regularly visit this unique temple without any problem. And they bow their heads in front of an idol of Mahatma Gandhi. This one-of-its-kind temple, dedicated to worship of Gandhi, is managed by a Dalit priest. Apart from a 3.5 feet-high bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in sitting position in the sanctum sanctorum, the temple has Ashoka Stambha, the national emblem, on its front. "People of all faiths come to the Gandhi Mandir, which promotes peace and communal harmony," said Pramod Ranjan Kumar, president of Gandhi Mandir Development Committee. Parts of western Orissa, especially Bargarh and Bolangir districts, witnessed sporadic incidents of communal violence in the last week of August, following the murder of Laxmanananda Saraswati. But, many people here believe that Gandhi's message of peace can restore sanity. "We perform puja in the morning and evening every day. Followers of Gandhiji flock to the mandir and I read out teachings or writings of Gandhiji to them," said the priest Kalia Bagh, a Dalit. It was Abhimanyu Kumar, a Congress leader and former lawmaker who played an important role in building this temple. According to Kumar, a Dalit, he decided to raise a memorial for Gandhi because of the work he had done for the 'untouchables'. Kumar had himself witnessed atrocities committed by upper caste Hindus and hence he chose Bhatra as the location because it is inhabited by number of lower caste people.
