In Brief
The Supreme Court considered a petition concerning the deterioration of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Shiva Lingam) at Ujjain, an ancient religious monument of national importance. Expert committees from the Archaeological Survey of India and Geological Survey of India confirmed significant erosion over 40–50 years caused by impure puja materials, alkaline water, and excess moisture. The Court held that while the State must preserve religious heritage under Articles 25, 26, and 49, such preservation must occur through preventive conservation without interfering with religious rituals. The Court directed the temple committee to implement remedial measures: restrict water offerings, minimize dairy products, ban sugar rubbing, maintain controlled temperature and humidity, improve drainage, and manufacture pure puja materials internally. Expert committees will monitor progress. The judgment emphasizes that sincere worship with pure materials honors the deity, while offerings of adulterated or impure materials defeat the purpose of puja.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.