SC makes use of RO water must for worship in Mahakaleshwar temple
NEWDELHI: New norms for worshipping at the ancient 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 order by Justice Arun Misra also restricts the quantity of water a devotee can offer to the jyotirlinga to 500ml. It also said a connection from the reverse osmosis (RO) machine installed in 2016 should be provided near the sanctum sanctorum for the worshippers.
SC was 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 due to pollution, moisture and the offerings.
The directions have been issued to protect the jyotirlinga from eroding. They were issued after the temple committee placed its resolution before the bench, agreeing with the recommendations made by an expert committee comprising official of the Archaeological Survey of India and Geological Survey of India.
According to the new resolution, the lingam will now 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, the lingam will have to be cleaned and dried.
The practice of rubbing sugar powder would also stop. Instead, use the unrefined raw white sugar will be promoted.
A new sewage treatment plant will also be set up within a year and dryers and fans will be installed.
“We have entertained this petition to preserve the lingam. It cannot be denied that good works have been done by the temple management,” the bench said.