Siddhivinayak Temple: The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir, which is located in Prabhadevi, South Mumbai, is India’s most revered temple and attracts thousands of devotees daily. Being of such great standing, the temple has been identified as a prime target for terrorist attack, which prompted the authorities to tighten security.
In response to government and police guidelines, the temple trust has temporarily suspended the offering of coconuts, garlands, and prasad. Sada Sarvankar, chairman of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir Trust, stated that coconuts are difficult to detect in security screening, and there is a risk of potential threats. There is also a concern that prasad could be contaminated, leading to serious safety threats.
A senior police officer recently held a security meeting with the temple trust to formulate preventive measures. The temple management is seeking serious inputs from law and order agencies to provide secure devotees, especially considering present tensions between India and Pakistan.
Reciting the value placed on offerings religiously by offering flowers. And durva grass as alternative offerings being considered by the temple trust are sacred to Lord Ganesha. To complement security efforts, the trust is also hiring 20 defence retires as personnel.
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Though the short-term restrictions will alter traditional customs, they are imperative to preserve the safety of the devotees. The temple trust is firm in keeping religious sentiments intact while embracing necessary security practices.