Ujjain's Mahakal temple Shiv Lingam shrinking? RO water to be used for 'jal abhishek'

Ujjaini Vidwat Parishad had claimed that the 'Shiv Lingam' located in the sanctum sanctorum of the Mahakal Temple is shrinking.

Ujjain: The Supreme Court on Friday approved new norms for Ujjain's famous Mahakal Temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva – in the wake of reports that the 'Shiv Lingam' located in the  sanctum sanctorum is shrinking.

According to the new norms approved by the Supreme Court, RO water will now be used for 'jal abhishek' of Lord Mahakal – the presiding deity of the popular Hindu temple.

Supreme Court approves new worship norms for Lord Mahakal Temple in MP's Ujjain. RO water to be used for 'jal abhishek' — ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017

Ujjaini Vidwat Parishad – a body of intellectuals – had triggered a debate over the 'Shiv Lingam', saying it has shrunk due to excessive “bhaang shingar” (offering of bhaang) and 'panchamrit' (milk, curd, honey, sugar and ghee).

The members of the Ujjaini Vidwat Parishad also reportedly asked for restricting the quantity of the 'panchamrit' being offered to the 'Shiv Lingam' at the Mahakal temple in Ujjain.

In view of their concerns, the court constituted a committee of experts that visited the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain to take stock of the situation. 

Although the expert committee differed with the Ujjaini Vidwat Parishad's view, it recommended restricting certain offerings by devotees to save the sacred 'Shiv Lingam'.

The expert committee, consisting of officials of Archaeological Survey of India and Geological Survey of India, said that bhaang offering is not the sole reason behind shrinking of the 'Shiv Lingam'. 

The committee also recommended that the offerings be restricted to only those made by the priests.

The committee also called for reducing the quantity of 'gangajal' and 'panchamrit' offered to the deity at the temple here.