In a positive development for the devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba, the Bombay High Court's Aurangabad bench has permitted devotees to once again offer garlands and flowers at the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi. This ruling comes as a relief to the thousands of devotees who visit the temple daily, as the tradition of offering flowers had been halted for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The High Court’s decision last Friday enables the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust to resume the flower offerings, but it comes with specific conditions aimed at ensuring fair practices and environmental responsibility.
Guidelines for Flower Purchase & Sale
One of the key conditions set by the High Court is that flowers sold to devotees must be purchased directly from local farmers, supporting the agricultural community. Additionally, the court stipulated that these flowers should be sold at reasonable rates, preventing any exploitative pricing. Vendors must avoid overcharging devotees, and no forceful methods should be used to push flower sales on temple premises.
This directive aims to maintain transparency in flower sales and to create a more respectful atmosphere for devotees engaging in worship. The court’s ruling provides protection to devotees from exploitation while supporting local farmers by creating a reliable market for their produce.
Emphasis on Waste Management in Temple Premises
In addition to guidelines on fair pricing, the High Court placed significant emphasis on waste management within the temple premises. Justice Mangesh Patil and Justice Shailesh Brahme directed the temple trust to establish an effective system to manage waste generated from flower offerings. This initiative is intended to preserve cleanliness and environmental standards at the temple, aligning with broader efforts to promote sustainable practices in public spaces.
Tradition Resumed After COVID-19 Hiatus
The tradition of offering flowers at the Sai Baba temple had been suspended since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The temple is currently managed by an ad-hoc committee, including the Principal District Judge, the District Collector, and the Chief Executive Officer of the trust. This committee has overseen temple operations and safety protocols during the pandemic. With the recent court ruling, devotees can resume the cherished ritual of flower offerings, a practice that holds deep spiritual significance for many.
HC’s Decision in Response to Vendor and Trust Petition
The High Court's decision followed a petition filed by flower vendors and the temple trust's ad-hoc committee. These stakeholders had appealed to the court to allow flower sales at the temple, citing the benefits for devotees, the local economy, and the vendors themselves. The court’s decision has been met with widespread relief and support, particularly from Sai Baba devotees and the local flower-selling community, who view it as a step toward restoring traditional practices and fostering a supportive environment for local businesses.
This new ruling comes as the temple prepares for the annual influx of lakhs of devotees in the last week of December, a peak period when Sai Baba’s devotees make offerings and the temple receives donations worth thousands of crores.
(PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY)
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