TRIMBAKESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE

Maharashtra Government orders SIT probe over dispute regarding forceful entry of into the Temple.

The Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple:

• Trimbakeshwar town is an ancient Hindu Pilgrim center located at the source of the Godavari River, 28 kms from Nashik in Maharashtra.
• Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
• Trimbakeshwar means ‘three lords’ and the Linga in the temple is in the form of a three faced embodying Tridev, Lord Bramha, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
• The present Trimbakeshwar temple was constructed by third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760).
• There are entry gates on all the four sides and East denotes the beginning, West denotes maturity, south denotes fulfillment and the North stands for the revelation.

What is the dispute?

• Trimbakeshwar is one of the few temples in the State which explicitly states that non-Hindus cannot enter the premises.
• However, for decades there has been a tradition that Muslims stand on the first step of the temple at the entrance and send the fragrant smoke rising from the burning frankincense inside the premises.
• The present dispute pertains to the same ritual over which both communities have claims and counter claims. Therefore, government has ordered an SIT probe to enquire the matter.

SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB