District admin may take over Trimbak temple management

NASHIK: The district administration is likely to take over the functioning of Trimbakeshwar temple instead of the trustees managing the show before the Kumbh Mela begins. With the administration receiving several complaints regarding the conduct of the trustees, the administration has begun thinking of taking over the temple management for the Kumbh period to avoid any law and order problem.

A senior official from the district collectorate told TOI that the Trimbakeshwar temple trustees had recently said during a meeting with the Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council that the temple belonged to them.

“As lakhs of pilgrims are expected to arrive here for the Kumbh Mela, we believe that the district administration should take over the temple management temporarily to avoid any law and order problem,” a senior officer from collectorate said.

The temple trustees had recently claimed that they owned the temple and had the right to stop anybody from entering the temple and manage the pujas. The statement came after the trustees allegedly stopped some sadhus from entering the temple, but allowed others to visit the ancient shrine nestled in the lap of the Sahyadris.

“Around a month back, we were going into the temple’s sanctum sanctorum when we were blocked by the trustees. We were not allowed to enter even as pilgrims and priests were allowed to entry. Such incidents have happened quite a number of times with the sadhus who go to the temple. We have therefore expressed our displeasure with the trust chairman but that has not helped so far,” said Shri Mahant Shankranand Saraswati of Taponidhi Shri Anand Akhada Panchayati.

The sadhus have been complaining about this to the district administration for more than a year. The administration, however, took cognizance of the complaint only after the trustees tried to claim their complete authority over the temple during the meeting with the municipal council in the presence of the chief executive officer, who is ex-officio member secretary of the temple.

“The administration will not take it lightly. We have been receiving several complaints. We have decided to take over the temple before Kumbh Mela considering the law and order situation,” the senior official said.

Soon after the flag hoisting ceremony on July 14, the district administration will move to take over the administration of the temple to ensure that there is no discrimination.

“The procedure will be carried out sooner to ensure that there are no hurdles during the Kumbh Mela, especially during the three shahi parvanis at Kushawarta – each on August 29, September 13 and September 25,” the officer said.

Jayant Shikhare, one of the temple trustees and president of Purohit Sangh, Trimbakeshwar, said the statement by the trustees was not to be taken on face value and the trustees do not own the temple.

“The duty of the one who constructs temple is to dedicate the same to God. As such, the statement by one of the trustees was incorrect and we hope the things would settle down after the flag hoisting ceremony of the Kumbh Mela,” he said.

Source: TOI