Lord Shiva petitions court to unlock temple gates; it obliges
What's the story
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the temporary unsealing of Prachin Shiv Mandir's main gates in Chandigarh following a petition by Lord Shiva. The deity of the temple, through advocates Dinesh Kumar Malhotra and Saksham Malhotra, filed the petition to allow Maha Shivratri celebrations on February 26 and a 'Langar Sewa' event on March 2.
Safety measures
Court orders military police supervision for crowd management
While allowing the temporary unsealing of the gates, the court clarified that its decision is primarily aimed at ensuring safety during these religious events. It stated, "It is only in the wake of the ensuing Maha Shivratri Festival...that thereby, for obviating any stampede, which may occur at the temple site." The court further directed that crowd management be conducted under military police supervision from February 25 to March 2.
Post-event actions
Temple gates to be resealed after religious events
After the religious events are over "at the end of the day i.e. 02.03.2025, the main temple gates shall be closed," the court ordered. According to the Indian Express, the Chandigarh administration had earlier taken control of Prachin Shiv Mandir after an eviction order under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.