InthenameofLordMahakal:SCjudge’slastruling

The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over erosion of the Shiva Linga in Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple and directed the temple committee to protect it from further damage.

Justice Arun Mishra, who was pronouncing his last judgment ahead of demitting office became emotive, saying it was the blessing of Lord Shiva to enable him to give the verdict.

The Bench had reserved the judgment on August 27 on an application by Sarika Pandey of Ujjain. He had prayed for stopping entry of people in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to save the revered ‘linga’ from erosion, which could make the temple lose its global appeal.

The petitioner’s earlier appeal had been disposed of in May 2018 after the temple management assured to take steps for protecting the Shivling. In 2019, the temple had decided that 'abhishek' of Lord Shiva will be done with only the milk of the temple's gaushala.

In its 2018 order, the Court had appointed an expert committee of Archaeological Survey of India and Geological Survey of India concerning prevention of the Shiva Linga's erosion. The expert team, which visited Ujjain in January last year pointed to erosion. On August 19, the current bench sought an action taken report from the temple committee.

Noting that a patch of the Shivlinga towards the side of deity Kartikeyan is quite visible due to reckless offering, the court said the ‘lingam’ of the Omkareshwar temple was destroyed and suggested that devotees should not be allowed to rub rub curd, ghee or honey on the Lingam.

The SC has ruled that the expert committee visit the temple and submit its report by December 15 on steps to be taken to prevent deterioration of the Shivling.