Abhishek with Gomti water at Mankameshwar
LUCKNOW: The woman mahant of the renowned Mankameshwar temple here blazed a new trail on Monday, when she defied tradition and performed abhishek of Lord Shiva with the water of the Gomti river, instead of Gangajal, on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
Abhishek with Gangajal has been an age-old tradition in this historic temple in Daliganj. The practice is said to have been established by none other than Lord Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Ram.
Mahant Divya Giri of Mankameshwar temple told HT, “The jalabhishek was performed with Gomti water because I wanted to give a message of river conservation to the people, emphasizing that we need to protect all our rivers, not only the Ganga.” She said, “When I decided to perform the ritual with Gomti water, many people raised doubts but I had none. I was clear that I would offer the Lord that which I had at my dispensation. God is the sole creator and mentor, so he also owns river Gomti which ends in the Ganga. Hence Gomti water is as sacred as that of river Ganga.” According to references available, Gangajal has been used for abhishek of the Shivaling at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple for the past 700 years.
But starting Monday, a new tradition had begun, said Mahant Divya Giri. “Today Gomti is at least being talked about. All of a sudden people are discussing the quality of Gomti water. Many people called me and asked if Gomti water could be used for Jalabhishek. Don’t you think that people should stop throwing waste into the river if Jalabhishek is to be performed every year?” the mahant said.
Environmentalists of the city are happy with the mahant. “It is a courageous decision. Breaking the tradition was not easy. She must have faced a lot of opposition but she chose to highlight the importance of local rivers.” said environmentalist VK Joshi.