Blast-hit Sankatmochan temple to go online, plans FM station

Varanasi, July 6 (UNI) Prompted by the surge in number of devotees and tourists visiting it after the March 7, 2006 killer blast, the Sankatmochan temple here is set to go online through an interactive website.

The management of the 16th century temple is also planning to make the Hanuman temple perhaps the first temple in the country to start an FM radio service for popularising the cause of Indian classical and devotional music.

''Work is underway on developing an interactive website for the temple to connect with countless denizens eager to know about the rich history and other details of the temple built by Goswami Tulsidas,'' Deputy Mahant of the temple Vishambhar Nath Mishra told UNI here.

But far from being supportive to the efforts of the world famous Kashi Vishwanath temple -- also in Varanasi -- of starting an interactive 'online darshan service,' Mr Mishra said, ''Our website will preserve traditions and never provide service of e-darshan or accepting donations from devotees through any digital or banking network.'' ''The website will only be a sincere effort on our part to connect the details about the temple with world, which has been showing increasing interest in it after the blast,'' Mr Mishra added.

''The website www.sankatmochanmandirvaranasi.org will be an interactive website which will provide pictorial and textual details about the historic temple, its rich past, rituals, special Artis and timing of opening and closure of temple gates. We do not promise making the temple a mouse click away from the denizens, but will certainly bring this worship place of Lord Hanuman closest to their heart, following which they will be compelled to come here physically,'' he added.

While, the work on developing the website is nearing completion, the temple management is also planning to start its own FM radio station for popularising Indian classical and devotional music.

''A blueprint is being drawn in this regard and the basic idea behind starting the FM radio service will be to connect with radio listeners, the best of the Sri Sankatmochan Sangeet Mahotsava, which will complete its 70th year in 2008.'' ''In this era, where the FM radio is mostly popularising pop and filmy music, our FM station will exclusively cater to the taste of classical music lovers with its rich base of past editions of Sri Sankatmochan Sangeet Mahotsav's which has endlessly brought stalwarts of Indian classical music and dance on one stage,'' Mr Mishra added.

At least 18 people were killed and over 100 others wounded when two powerful blasts rocked the Sankatmochan temple and Varanasi Cantonment railway station within a span of 15 minutes on the evening of March 7, last year.

UNI