27 February,2023 05:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Nidhi Lodaya
Devotees pour milk on the Shivling at Babulnath temple during shravan last year. Pic/Ashish Raje
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The management of Babulnath Mandir in Girgaon, one of the city's oldest temples, has approached IIT Bombay (IIT-B) to study its Shivling after cracks were discovered in it. "We have stopped using milk (doodh abhishek) because it is causing cracks and damage to the Shivling," Mukesh Kanojia, office in-charge of Shree Babulnath Mandir Charities, told mid-day.
Abhishek is the ancient Hindu practice of pouring water or other substances over the sacred image of a deity to honour it and attain blessings. Babulnath is known for its doodh abhishek where devotees pour milk and other offerings such as sugarcane juice, chandan (sandalwood), water and flowers over the Shivling.
Devotees seek blessings at Babulnath Mandir in Girgaon on August 1, 2022. File Pic/Ashish Raje
For the past two years, there have been restrictions with regard to these practices owing to Covid-19 regulations. Over the years, chemical components of milk and other substances have reportedly damaged the Shivling at Babulnath Mandir, an official explained. The trustees and management are awaiting results from IIT-B. Officials refused to share any more information about the matter until the results are out.
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Meanwhile, long-time devotees have been complaining about not getting the privileges that they did in pre-Covid times when they could offer doodh abhishek. "Due to the damage and small cracks on the Shivling, we are only letting devotees offer jal (water) abhishek from 6 am to 12 pm," the official added.
Devotees can offer flowers any time of the day when they visit the temple. Once the trustees receive the report, the board plans will evaluate the results and come to a conclusion with regard to the next steps to be taken. mid-day reached out to Pradeep Shroff and Nitin Thakkar, trustees of Babulnath temple, but they refused to share details until the report is released.
6 am
Time from when water can be offered
12 pm
End time for water offering
