Taking note of the deterioration and erosion of Shivalingam at the ancient Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on September 1, the Supreme Court directed that devotees should ‘do no rubbing’ of the lingam.
Adding further, a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra and comprising Justices B R Gavai and Krishna Murari directed the temple committee to make sure that the Shivalingam is preserved from further deterioration by improving the pH value, which is used to specify the acidity or basicity, of ‘Bhasma’ during ‘Bhasma Aarti’. “If it is done by any devotee, accompanying Poojari or Purohit shall be responsible for not stopping the rubbing. No rubbing of Shivalingam to be done by anyone except during traditional puja and archana performed on behalf of the temple,” it added further.
It further said that the temple committee will have to ensure implementation of the best methodology to prevent any further damage to the Shivalingam.