[Today’s Prayer] The Two Faces of a Hindu Holy Site… Hundreds of Girls Raped and Murdered Over 20 Years

A report has emerged that for over 20 years, heinous crimes such as rape and murder occurred at a Hindu temple in southern India.

According to a report by The Independent on the 31st, a man identified as “A,” who worked as a cleaning laborer at the Dharmasthala temple in Karnataka state, southern India, testified in court earlier this month that hundreds of women and girls were raped, murdered, and secretly buried there.

A, who appeared in court with his face covered, submitted some of the victims’ remains as evidence.

He claimed that from 1995 to 2014, he buried hundreds of bodies near the Netravati River close to the temple.

(Excerpt)

He stated that when he refused to follow orders, he was threatened and beaten with warnings like, "You’ll be buried just like the others." Feeling guilty, he fled the temple in 2014, and it wasn't until July this year—10 years later—that he reported the case to the police.

Based on his testimony, the Karnataka state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to launch a formal investigation.

The Karnataka State Women’s Commission emphasized that “more than 367 cases of missing and deceased women have occurred in the Dharmasthala area since the 1980s,” and urged a thorough investigation.

Source: Money Today

And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. (Acts 19:17–20)

We are shaken by the horrifying news that, over 20 years, hundreds of women and girls were raped, murdered, and buried in secret at a Hindu temple in southern India.

Despite over 367 reported cases of missing and deceased women near Dharmasthala since the 1980s, the cause was never uncovered. Instead, people may have simply accepted it as the will of a Hindu deity. Lord, have mercy on the souls of India who lived under this deception.

Now that the hidden evils of the Hindu temple are being brought to light, may the people of India come to fear the Holy God, repent, and receive Christ, so that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified.

Even now, help authorities identify the remains and the identities of the victims so that grieving families may find some comfort. Guide the Indian church to minister to these wounded hearts with the healing power of the Gospel.

May the global church and the church in India cast off the sins of Hinduism by the truth of the cross, and boldly proclaim the Word of God. May revival break out across India, and the power of the Gospel spread once again.

And may this work of the Lord give rise to a holy army of 1 million young missionaries being sent out from India to the nations!