Sarika vs Administrator, Shri Mahakaleshwar Mandir Committee, Ujjain (M.P.) & Ors

Bench: 2 — Arun Mishra

In Brief

The Supreme Court addressed deterioration of the ancient Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlingam at Ujjain's famous temple. Expert committees from ASI and GSI documented chemical weathering, biological decay, and damage from alkaline water and impure offerings over 40-50 years. The Court clarified it does not interfere with religious rituals but ordered preventive conservation: pH-controlled water, restricted pure offerings, proper cleaning, climate control, and improved drainage. The Temple Committee accepted these measures as constitutional duties under Articles 25, 26, 49, 51A to preserve national heritage while respecting religious freedom.

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Constitutional Law Hindu Religious Endowments Heritage Conservation Environmental Protection Preventive Conservation Temple Management Judicial Intervention in Religion Secularism Articles 25, 26, 49, 51A

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