The management of Babulnath Mandir has approached IIT Bombay to study its Shivling after cracks were discovered in it. According to the office in-charge of the temple, they have stopped using milk (doodh abhishek) because it is causing cracks and damage to the Shivling

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic regulation, there have been restrictions with regard to the abhishek practices. Over the years, chemical components of milk and other substances have reportedly damaged the Shivling. The trustees and management are awaiting results from IIT Bombay

Abhishek is the ancient Hindu practice of pouring water, milk or other substances over the sacred image of a deity to honour it and attain blessings. Babulnath temple 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

Read More Mumbai: Babulnath shivling cracking, trustees want IIT Bombay’s help

According to the Babulnath temple authorities, devotees can offer flowers any time of the day when they visit the temple. Once the trustees receive the report, the board will evaluate the results and come to a conclusion with regard to the next steps to be taken. mid-day reached out to the trustees of Babulnath temple, but they refused to share details until the report is released

For a long-time, devotees have been complaining about not getting the privileges that they did in pre-Covid times when they could offer doodh abhishek. One of the officials told mid-day, that due to the damage and small cracks on the Shivling, they are only letting devotees offer jal (water) abhishek from 6 am to 12 pm