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Ujjain Mahakaleshwar temple priests want to streamline facilities by
Sandeep Datta Ujjain:
A section of priests at the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple here are keen that
the facilities for the pilgrims at the temple should be improved early. They are
also keen that the rules for classifying pilgrims and giving some preferential
facilities should be revised and there should be a procedure for the same. There
is a feeling among some priests at the temple, particularly among those who have
been serving at the Mahakaleshwar temple for generations by performing daily prayers
inside the sanctum sanctorum, that there is need to undertake development work.
"The ongoing Swaran Shikhar Yojna, meant for covering the main structure of the
Mahakaleshwar Temple, has not been completed. It's been two years since it was
started. It is going on but at a snail' pace. Government should take over the
Swaran Shikhar Yojna and complete the work at the earliest," said Pt. Dinesh Pujari,
one of the 16 priests at the Mahakaleshwar Temple and former member of Management
committee. He suggests the construction of a hall for pilgrims to take rest. "Thousands
of pilgrims visit this temple and almost all have to depend on private lodges.
There is no reason why provision cannot be made inside the temple at where pilgrims
can take brief rest. Construction of a big hall inside the temple can be a help
for all," says Pt. Dinesh Pujari. "There is a need to install information boards
at various places about the significance of temple and history related to it.
Often devotees come and leave but don't know much about this holy place. Information
boards would enable them to know the history of the temple," he adds There should
also be a procedure for making announcements regarding closure of entry to the
temple in advance When there is a rush of devotees , it comes as a surprise for
all when entry to the temple is suddenly stopped. There is no prior announcement
, which causes disappointment to devotees arriving for "Darshan" from distant
places," says Pt. Dinesh Pujari. One of the main complaints of the priests is
that the management has a strange classification of V.I.P visitors. It is questioned
how anyone linked to any important office can turn up and be given important treatment.
"There should be some definition of putting someone in theVIP category. Presently,
even a general staff carrying a slip or recommendation letter of his VIP boss
can come and claim the VIP category for having Darshan or participating in special
Puja at the temple," said another priest, requesting anonymity. "Every month a
huge amount is offered by devotees arriving here from different parts of the country.
The offerngs should be used for development work of Mahakaleshwar Temple, keeping
the devotees' needs and wishes in mind ," said another priest. Members of one
big family of priests hold the sole right to perform the Puja--the prayer, Shringaar
and other rituals--inside the sanctum sanctorum. However, there are others in
the temple who also offer their services. "Originally there used to be 21 Purohits
in the temple. Their families have extended and at present the number has swollen
to about 150 who perform the Abhishekham ritual for devotees visiting the temple.
This is their main source of income. "But at any corner of the temple one can
find student priests offering their services at different prices" said one of
old timers at the temple. "Mahakaleshwar" in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh is
one of the 18 revered "Jyotirlingas" of Lord Shiva that exist in India. -June
6, 2009 |
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