The management of Babulnath Mandir in Girgaon, one of the city’s oldest temples, has approached IIT Bombay (IIT-B) to study its Shivling after cracks were discovered in it. “We have stopped using milk (doodh abhishek) because it is causing cracks and damage to the Shivling,” Mukesh Kanojia, office in-charge of Shree Babulnath Mandir Charities, told mid-day.

Abhishek is the ancient Hindu practice of pouring water or other substances over the sacred image of a deity to honour it and attain blessings. Babulnath is known for its doodh abhishek where devotees pour milk and other offerings such as sugarcane juice, chandan (sandalwood), water and flowers over the Shivling.