HC raps Kalkaji temple priest for performing puja on auction

The Delhi High Court today rapped a priest of the famous Kalkaji temple here, saying the incharge there made a "joke of the deity" by performing puja and 'sewa' on "auction" basis.
"You (priest and the incharge) have made a joke of the deity. Nobody concentrates on puja. Puja is a prayer ritual performed to host, honour and worship one or more deities, but here you people are after money," Justice J R Midha said.
Can people who auction the rights of doing puja at the temple be permitted to sit in the temple, the judge asked.
The observation came on a priest's plea seeking a judicial order to restrain his two sisters from doing puja and 'sewa' at the temple and sharing offerings collected during the turn.

The priest through his counsel B L Wali stated that pujas were being performed in the temple by four "Brahmins" having equal share in the income.
He stated that this time the petitioner sisters were also allowed by the trial court to sit in the puja.

This prompted the judge to ask the petitioner why can't the sisters sit or have share in the offerings.
The petitioner said that they have no issue if the sisters worship at the temple but the offerings should not be shared.
To which the judge said, "I will see as to who will get the money. I will appoint a person who will record everything going at the temple while puja is being performed. The person will keep record of the money collected. The money collected will be kept in the bank, till I decide the issue finally".

The judge said he will also appoint an investigating officer to see who all are sitting in the puja and to check the antecedents of the persons.
It further said that to end the controversy, this temple should be handed over to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, who will take care of it.
Asking the parties to come on February 10, the court said it will formulate questions and send this issue to be heard as a PIL.