Changes in Sambhal’s Shiva temple, peaceful immersion of Sai Baba’s idol, new installation on Ganesh Chaturthi
An important religious decision was taken at a Shiva temple located in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh early on Tuesday. With the unanimous decision of the temple committee and local devotees, Sai Baba’s idol was removed and respectfully immersed in the river Ganga. The idol was installed in July 2011 and after 14 years it was decided to remove it.
Decision taken based on religious beliefs
The temple priest Acharya Pandit Avnish Shastri said that Sai Baba is not mentioned in Hindu scriptures, Vedas or traditions. He said: “Worship of a fakir or a person should be limited to private places and not in temples. When idols of saints like Adi Shankaracharya or Tulsidas are not in temples, why should Sai Baba be there?”
New installation on Ganesh Chaturthi
The temple committee also announced that an idol of Lord Ganesha will be installed in the temple on the occasion of the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi. Local devotees described the change as in line with religious traditions.
Devotees’ reaction
Local devotee Neeraj Kumar Gupta said that Sai Baba’s idol was neither being worshipped nor maintained for the past few years. He said: “We respectfully immersed the idol in the Ganga and now Ganesh ji will be installed.” Another devotee Jagdev Kumar Gupta also supported the decision, saying that the change was completely peaceful and consensual.
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