Mahakaleshwar temple: SC asks for removal of misleading boards

The Supreme Court today took strong exception over display boards at the ancient Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh which attributed the new worshipping norms as directions of the top court.
It said the apex court had never given any direction to implement the new norms of worshipping, which were submitted by Mahakaleshwar Mandir Management Committee in consultation with an expert committee set up by the court.
A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M M Shantanagoudar directed the temple management committee to immediately remove these display boards and even asked the media to report the issue with caution.

"We have never issued any direction of our own, as to how to worship, how the famous Bhasma Aarti (special prayer with sacred ashes) should be conducted. All those suggestions were given by the committee, formed to preserve the Lingam (symbol of the deity)," the bench said.
It clarified that the court had nothing to do with the traditions and customs of worshipping at the temple and asked the management committee to submit pictures of any such display board put up inside the premises.
The bench also warned of contempt action against those found responsible for putting up such "misleading" display boards at the temple premises.

On October 27, the apex court had taken on record the new norms for worshipping at the ancient temple including allowing only 500 ml of reverse osmosis water for the ceremony.

It had said the recomendations of the expert committee need to be implemented to preserve the 'lingam'.
As per the new norms, the devotees was permitted a fixed amount of water measuring 500ml in an appropriate small pot per person for Jalabhishek (worshipping by offering water).
The resolutions had said that the water for Jalabhishek shall be taken from the Reverse Osmosis (RO) machine installed during Simhastha (religious congregation) in 2016, for which a connection shall be provided near the sanctum sanctorum.

The new resolution said that at present during the famous Bhasma Aarti, half of the 'lingam' was covered with cloth. From now on, it would be fully covered with dry cotton cloth during the prayers.
Restrictions were also placed for 'jalabhishek' and only up to 1.25 litres of milk or 'panchamrut' (a mixture of honey, liquid jaggery, milk, yogurt and ghee) per devotee shall be allowed.
The practice of rubbing of sugar powder on Shivalinga has been fully banned and instead, the use of Khandsari (unrefined raw white sugar) will be promoted.
The bench had said the petition has been entertained by the court only to preserve the lingam.

On August 25, the apex court had constituted an expert committee comprising ASI, GSI and other officials to survey and analyse the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlingam and prepare a report containing the rate at which the deterioration in its size was taking place and the measures to prevent it.
The committee was also directed to study other structures and the temple, and submit recommendations on the steps for overall improvement of the entire premises and its preservation.