Bengaluru: A centuries-old Bengaluru temple has decided to stop conducting weddings on its premises after multiple priests were repeatedly summoned to court as witnesses in divorce cases. The decision of the Halasuru Someshwara Swamy Temple — one of the city’s most revered heritage shrines — came into public attention after a man complained to the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), stating that the temple refused to solemnise his marriage.
When the CMO sought an explanation, temple authorities clarified that the ban had been in place for several years and stemmed from a surge in marital disputes involving couples who had tied the knot at the shrine. The priests noted that they had been forced to attend court hearings to verify marriage details, something they said affected their duties and the reputation of the temple.
Temple says court visits became frequent in divorce cases
According to a report by The Indian Express, the temple management revealed that courts often directed priests to appear during hearings related to separations or disputes. Many couples who married at the temple approached the authorities for documentation or verification during their separation process.
V Govindaraju, the chief administrative officer of the temple committee, said that some couples eloped from home, got married using questionable documentation and later involved the temple in legal complications.
“Many couples elope and produce fake documents to get married. After a few days, the parents turn up and, in some instances, court cases are filed,” he said.
He added that the priests found themselves spending considerable time attending legal proceedings instead of performing temple duties. This, they felt, created an unnecessary burden.
Popular heritage temple stopped weddings six to seven years ago
The Halasuru Someshwara Swamy Temple is among the oldest temples in Bengaluru and has long been a preferred venue for traditional weddings. Before the ban, the temple hosted nearly 100–150 weddings a year, attracting families from across the city.
However, around six to seven years ago, the temple management decided to halt all weddings to avoid “untoward incidents” that could harm the temple’s image. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department of the Karnataka government, which oversees major religious establishments in the state.
While the ban was known internally, it had not been widely publicised until a recent complaint brought it under public scrutiny. The temple clarified that the measure was not targeted at any individual but was a long-standing policy that remains in effect.
Rituals continue, but wedding ban may be reviewed later
Despite the ban on weddings, the temple continues to perform daily rituals, poojas, special ceremonies and religious functions as usual. Priests emphasised that their decision was based solely on the administrative challenges posed by court summons and legal disputes.
Temple authorities said the policy could be revisited in the future, but only after ensuring a framework that protects priests from unnecessary legal involvement. For now, they have no plans to resume wedding ceremonies.
Mixed reactions online as court summons spark debate
The decision triggered a variety of reactions on social media. Many users expressed shock that temple priests were being called to court for divorce proceedings.
“Why would priests be called in a divorce case? Even if you marry in a temple, your marriage certificate is issued by a local governing body. We haven’t heard of this happening anywhere else,” one user wrote.
Others reacted with sarcasm, commenting on rising divorce rates.
“It’s hardly a comedy show, but even priests are fed up with how fast marriages are collapsing today,” another user said.
Some felt the temple had taken a practical decision to reduce avoidable complications, while others argued that a heritage shrine should not restrict religious ceremonies because of legal burdens.
A reflection of changing societal trends
The case highlights a broader trend — rising legal scrutiny around marriages and divorces, and the administrative challenges faced by religious institutions. As family disputes become more common, temples that conduct weddings are often dragged into legal verification processes.
For the Halasuru Someshwara Swamy Temple, the ban serves as a protective measure to prevent repeated involvement in court matters. Whether the policy changes in the future will depend on how the temple and the government department assess the feasibility of handling marriage registrations without being pulled into legal disputes.
For now, those wishing to marry at the historic shrine will have to look for alternative venues.