ASI order banning temple rituals in Devgiri Fort snowballs into controversy

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jun 27 (PTI) An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order discouraging performing pooja in temples located in the Devgiri (Daulatabad) Fort complex in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district has drawn criticism from different quarters, including the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT).

According to the order, performing pooja or any other rituals in these temples of the centuries-old fortified citadel protected by the ASI will be a breach of law.

As per the June 4 order which surfaced on social media platforms on Thursday, priest of Bharat Mata Temple located on the fort's foothills, Raju Kanjune, has been stopped from performing rituals.

Being a non-living monument, permitting rituals in any of the temples located in the fort's premises will be a breach of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, according to the ASI which functions under the Union Ministry of Culture.

Two other Hindu shrines -- Sankat Vinayak Ganesh Temple and Janardan Swami Temple -- are located top the fort.

The ASI order has sparked a controversy with Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Ambadas Danve of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maratha quota activist Vinod Patil questioning the move.

When contacted, a senior ASI official told PTI, "The Devgiri Fort is a non-living monument and there is no permission for performing pooja here. No priest can perform rituals, but tourists can visit the fort freely." Danve, in a post on X, said pooja is being performed in Bharat Mata Temple, Sankat Vinayak Ganesh Temple and Janardan Swami Temple for years and long before the fort came under the ASI jurisdiction.

"Then how the fort a non-living monument?" he questioned.

He sought to know if the central government will impose restrictions on Ganesh Temple, where yearly provision of rituals was made during Peshwas (medieval-era ministers of Maratha empire), and 'dindi' (procession) that comes to Janardan Swami Temple every year in 'Margashirsh' (ninth month of Hindu calendar).

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also sought to know if the same kind of curbs will be imposed on the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb located in Khultabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

Maratha quota activist Patil said, "Bharat Mata Temple was established by freedom fighters after the region was freed from Nizam and pooja is being done here since 1948. There are many ASI sites where a holiday is declared for the sake of a specific religion. The state government should intervene and resolve the issue." Co-convener of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) Swapnil Joshi said "Bharat Mata is being worshipped in the Devgiri Fort prior to independence. So the entire fort cannot be a non-living monument. Deities here are being worshipped much before the ASI came into existence. PTI