Prayagraj: Devotees visiting the revered Shri Mankameshwar Mahadev temple during Shrawan month will not be allowed to carry milk in polythene packets or plastic cups for abhishek of Lord Shiva following the ban on plastic imposed by the temple management to preserve scriptural traditions and the sanctity of worship.The monthlong festival of Shrawan, dedicated to Lord Shiva, will be observed from July 30 to Aug 28. Every year, thousands of devotees throng the Mankameshwar Mahadev and Rinmukteshwar Mahadev temples for jalabhishek, rudrabhishek and other rituals in this month.The decision of plastic ban was taken during a meeting held on Sunday to review the preparations for Shrawan month. Presiding over the meeting, temple mahant and representative of Dwarka Sharada Peeth, Shridharanand Brahmachari, directed the priests and members of the temple management to ensure that all rituals are performed strictly in accordance with scriptural traditions.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
Under the new guidelines, devotees carrying milk in polythene pouches or plastic cups will not be allowed to enter the temple premises. Temple authorities said many devotees discard the empty plastic packets and cups inside the temple complex after offering milk, creating litter and affecting the temple’s cleanliness.To enforce the ban, CCTV cameras will be used for monitoring the premises, while five to seven volunteers will be deployed at each entrance to inspect the offerings brought by the devotees.The temple management has also said that devotees will have to follow ethnic dress code to perform abhishek inside the sanctum sanctorum. Men will be permitted to perform the ritual only while wearing a dhoti, while women will have to wear a sari. Devotees in jeans, shorts or other western attire will not be allowed to enter the garbhagriha. The management warned that anyone creating a disturbance or opposing the rules would be handed over to the police.Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Shridharanand Brahmachari said that plastic is considered impure, and offering milk from plastic packets or cups is contrary to scriptural traditions. He advised devotees to use brass or copper vessels for offering milk and water to the Shivling, adding that offering milk in a silver vessel is considered especially auspicious in Hindu scriptures due to its association with the moon and Venus.
