SC orders preservation of Jyotirlinga in Ujjain temple

The Supreme court on Tuesday ordered the authorities of famed Mahakaleswar temple in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh to take measures to preserve the Jyotirlingam, the symbol of the presiding deity of the 18th century shrine, from erosion and decay.

Taking suo moto cognizance of the matter, the bench of Justice Arun Mishra listed out measures to be undertaken by the temple for preservation of the Jyotirlingam. “The supreme court ordered to take measures to protect the Jyotirlingam. The court has made 4- 5 recommendations for the purpose. We are waiting for the hard copy of the judgment”, Ujjain district collector Ashish Singh who is chairman of the management committee of the shrine said.

Use of pure milk while performing the ritualistic offerings to the Jyotirlingam was one of the key points made in the order by the apex court for its preservation, an official of temple administration told this newspaper.

Besides, the court ordered to shun the practice of treating ‘ panchamruta’, made of milk, ghee, liquid jiggery and honey, with the Jyotirlingam.

The court observed that only pure milk should be allowed to pour over the Jyotirlingam as offerings.

“We are waiting for the order of the apex court. We have already initiated measures for protection and preservation of the Jyotirlingam as per the recommendations by an expert committee comprising officials of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI) and Geological Survey of India ( GSI) for the preservation of the lingam”, administrator of the Mahakaleswar temple S. S. Rawat told this newspaper.

According to him, the expert committee has recommended use of offerings for the Jyotirlingam, such as water and milk, which should be of normal PH level.

“The Jyotirlingam faced the prospect of erosion and decay due to use of impure milk as offering for the Jyotirlingam earlier. Besides, chemicals contained in colours used for decorating the Jyotirlingam also threaten to cause harm to it”, retired archaeologist of ASI Narayan Vas said.

Mahakaleswar is 12 Jyotirlingams country. one of in the