SC issues new rules to make offerings

New norms for worshipping at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Ujjain were approved by the Supreme Court on Friday, which allows use of only reverse osmosis water for the ‘jalabhishek’ ceremony.

The directions have been issued to protect the jyotirlinga from eroding due to pollution, offerings and moisture. The order by justice Arun Misra also restricts the quantity of water a devotee can offer to the jyotirlinga to 500 ml.

SC is hearing a petition on the dispute over the temple’s management. But the court expanded the scope of the case when it learnt that the shivalingam at the temple, rebuilt in the 18th century, in Ujjain, was corroding.

The directions were issued after the temple management committee placed its resolution before the bench, agreeing with the recommendation made by an expert committee of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and Geological Survey of India (GSI).

According to the new resolution, the lingam will remain covered with a dry cloth during the Bhasma Aarti (special prayer with sacred ash). A devotee shall not be allowed to pour more than 1.25 litres of milk or panchamrut (mixture of honey, liquid jaggery, milk, yogurt and ghee). After the Jalabhishek ends at 5pm, the lingam will be cleaned and dried.

Temple administrator Pradeep Soni said: “We will follow all the SC directives.” No sub-standard puja offering will be allowed and use of flowers would be discouraged, Soni said.

NEW DELHI: