Trustee up in arms against 'VIP darshan' at Trimbakeshwar

NASHIK: A VIP darshan facility at the famous Trimbakeshwar temple is again in the eye of a storm again.
Lalita Shinde, a member of the temple trust, submitted a memorandum to Union culture and tourism minister Mahesh Sharma on October 19 demanding immediate discontinuation of the practice. Shinde claimed that charging Rs 200 for VIP darshan benefits rich devotees, which is against the temple's constitution.
"The practice of VIP darshan to those who donate Rs 200 is illegal and against the constitution of the temple, which was framed in 1940s.The practice was started in 2012 by the state government-run executive governing body of the trust. Traditional custodians of the temple are against this practice right from the beginning," said Shinde, who is still in New Delhi at present.
"I told the minister about the practice, which ultimately results in the division between devotees on the basis of their financial condition. As an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, I sincerely believe that all the devotees are equal in front of god. No one should get such special treatment just because of money," she said.
To support her claim, Shinde produced a letter issued to the trust's president by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The temple comes under the heritage monument category and the Aurangabad Circle of ASI looks after it. The letter issued in 2014 clearly directs the president of Trimbakeshwar Temple Trust to stop the practice of charging Rs 200 in the name of VIP darshan, as it contradicts with the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
"VIP darshan has become a money-making business for the trust, but it is against religious as well as constitutional rules. The minister has assured me of looking into the matter," Shinde added.
In the meantime, the representatives of Tungar community and traditional caretakers of the temple have offered support to Shinde. However, other nominated trustees representing different entities such as purohits, worshippers and residents refused to comment on the issue. Moreover, officials appointed by the government to handle the temple's work too refused to say anything on record.
However, a senior official said the entry fee of Rs 200 per person for VIP darshan has earned good revenue for the temple. "As devotees pay Rs 200 and take receipt right on the main gate, very few of them leave donations in the pooja thali kept inside the temple. The amount in the pooja thali is traditionally handed over to Tungar caretakers. The VIP Darshan practice is being opposed as money in the Thali is constantly reducing since its introduction," he said.