Bengaluru’s Someshwara Temple stops weddings after priests repeatedly summoned in divorce cases

The centuries-old Halasuru Someshwara Swamy Temple halts marriages, saying legal troubles from failed relationships have become unmanageable.

The Halasuru Someshwara Swamy Temple, one of Bengaluru’s oldest and most prominent heritage temples, has formally confirmed that it no longer conducts weddings, after repeated legal complications involving couples who later sought divorce.

The decision came to light when a man approached the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) alleging the temple had refused to solemnise his marriage. When the CMO sought clarification, temple authorities explained that priests were frequently being pulled into legal disputes, especially during divorce hearings.

According to temple officials, courts often summoned priests to verify details of marriages performed at the temple.

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V Govindaraju, the chief administrative officer, said many couples who eloped used fake or incomplete documents to get married, leading to disputes later on. In several cases, families returned to the temple for verification, dragging priests into lengthy legal processes.

Officials said these experiences gradually built up, pushing the temple to halt weddings entirely six to seven years ago. Earlier, the temple hosted 100 to 150 weddings, making it one of the city’s most sought-after venues.

Authorities said the decision was made to prevent “unpleasant incidents” and protect the temple’s long-standing reputation. The temple functions under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department of the Karnataka government.

While marriage ceremonies have been stopped, all other religious rituals, daily poojas and festivals continue without interruption. Officials said they may revisit the policy in the future, but as of now, no weddings will be permitted.

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The revelation has sparked wide discussion online.

Many users questioned why priests were being made part of court proceedings, noting that marriage certificates are issued by government authorities, not temples.

Some reacted jokingly, saying even priests have “given up on modern relationships.” Others argued that temples should not serve as wedding halls and suggested that couples complete registration at government offices and seek temple blessings separately.