India, Dec. 10 -- Maharashtra prides itself on being the land of saints, temples, and timeless spiritual heritage-yet ironically it has become one of the easiest hunting grounds for land sharks preying on temple properties. What began centuries ago as acts of devotion-farmers, kings, saints, and common devotees donating fertile lands to ensure temple upkeep-has now turned into a modern tragedy where thousands of acres meant for nitya-puja, festival expenses, and community service have been swallowed by a nexus of land mafias, corrupt revenue machinery, and a shockingly apathetic state system. If this isn't an assault on heritage, then what is? The betrayal is not merely administrative; it is civilizational.

The rot runs deep, and the met...