Kolhapur Press Meet by HJS
Kolhapur (Maharashtra) : The process of chemical coating decided to be adopted for restoration of the idol of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi of the famous temple is not as per Dharma-shastra.
We had given a letter to the Chief Minister, Prime Minister and the Archaeology Department in this connection. The Government has, however, not responded to that letter in any way.
Archaeology Department has issued order to stop restoration through chemical process but we have nothing to do in this regard. We are not responsible for stopping this process. It is, therefore, wrong to say that HJS interfered in this matter but we want to inform that anything done as per Dharma-shastra is always more beneficial for devotees.
In 1955, the idol was restored with metal coating when its hand was hurt. The new hand was fitted wrongly, leading to lot of uproar; but the same idol is being worshipped till now. It is, therefore, beneficial for all devotees if such damaged idol is changed, was the opinion expressed by Shri. Ramesh Shinde, the spokesperson of HJS during press conference. Shri. Rajan Bunage and Shri. Madhukar Nazare of HJS were present on the occasion.
Shri. Shinde stated,
1. Devotees now need to think whether they want Shri Mahalskhmi Devi or the idol ? Chemical coating can lead to desecration of the idol.
2. Nowadays, bone-powder, egg-yolk etc. are used for chemical coatings. It is not known which material is going to be used for chemical coating.
3. Tomorrow, if any adverse thing happens with the idol, or if it is broken, who is going to be responsible ? It has not been decided. The stand of Pashchim Maharashtra Devasthan Vyavasthapan Samiti, Shri-pujak and the Archaeolgy Department or their responsibilities have not yet been clearly defined.
4. With chemical coating, the capacity to emit ‘sattvikata’ from this idol will be reduced. As per Dharma-shastra, the damaged idols should be immersed and new idols should be consecrated. Archaeology Department, own, has issued order to stop restoration through chemical process.
5. There is still time. The ritual is going to take place on 24th July; till then, what is the provision of Dharma-shastra can be found out.
6. An idol of a Deity has her Principle and when it runs out, such idol can be replaced as we immerse even dead bodies.
7. At Puri in Odisha, the wooden idols of Shri Jagannath dev, Shri Balbhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan are replaced with new idols once in 12 years and new idols are consecrated. In this case also, it is done as per Dharma-shastra as an eroded idol should not be worshipped.
8. Today. Some rituals are going on at Shri Mahalakshmi Mandir in the presence of few Dharmacharyas. We have nothing to say about the same but we insist that Dharma-shastra should be abided.
9. Archaeology Department is for preservation of forts and monuments and is not necessarily connected with Dharma-shastra. We considered it our duty to make them aware of Dharma-shastra and therefore, we wrote a letter to them.
10. Preserving something is done at emotional level; but in spirituality, what we feel towards Dharma-shastra (God) is of more importance. Devotees should therefore, think what is expected by Dharma (God) rather than by any person. They should force the concerned people to abide by Dharma.
11. We tried to see when we learnt about the issue, for abidance of Dharma-shastra. Instead of saying that we gave such information late, reporters should ask that why did the Pashchim Maharashtra Devasthan Vyavasthapan Samiti or people associated with it, not try to learn Dharma-shastra when judicial process is going on in this regard.
Effect of HJS letter !
Chemical coating of Shri Mahalakhsmi Devi idol against Dharma-shastra has been stopped !
Kolhapur – Chemical coating was to be given on the famous idol of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi and HJS wrote letters to the Central Archaeology Department, Prime Minister and the State Chief Minister that such action was not in accordance with Dharma-shastra.
The Archaeology Department has therefore, instructed to stop the chemical coating of the idol that was to start from 22nd July. The process of restoration has not actually started by Pashchim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti, Shri-pujak and Central Archaeology Department.
Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat
It is a surprise to read this issue so complicated and serious having so many sculptors and Archaeological experts.