No Milk, Curd and Sugar offerings to the Shiva linga of Mahakaleshwar: Supreme Court
New Delhi, October 28: Apex court has given approval to new worship norms introduced by the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar temple board expert committee yesterday. These norms were approved on the basis of the committee citing shrinking of the deity - the Shivlinga. The corrosion of 18th century built temple’s deity is the result of Pollution, moisture and offerings like oil products and milk.
The Supreme Court had set up a committee to examine the Shivalinga -its corrosion level, to give the reports, and give the preventive measures for it. The committee was formed after the apex court was petitioned by Ujjani Vidwat Parishad that claimed that the Shiva Lingam was shrinking because of excessive bhang (marijuana leaves) offerings. But this reason for corrosion was denied by the committee.
“To maintain the deity’s shrinking some preventive measure shall be taken” said the officials of the committee
Only 500ml of RO water can be used as an offering to the deity as the SC has put a restriction on milk, curd, sugar offering which are responsible for corrosion of the stone deity. RO water plant will be set up in the temple to provide the RO water to the devotees for ‘Jalabhishek’. Exhaust fans, dryers will be installed in sanctum sanctorum so as to decrease the moisture levels in the temple. Usually half part of the deity is covered with cloth during the prayers but now the whole Linga will be covered.
The SC ruling is likely to be brought into practice with immediate effect.