Anger over VVIP Darshan; chaos in Omkareshwar temple
| Date :27-May-2024 |
By Bhavana ‘Aparajita’
Shukla
Instead of ‘Jay Kara’ devotees at Shri Mahakaleshawar and Shri Omkareshwar can now been seen raising slogans against administration and State Government for inconvenience and VVIP Darshan system. On Sunday too, there was chaotic situation in Shri Omkareshwar temple in Khandwa district over VVIP and non VVIP darshan issue. It has become normal in state’s temples. After Shri Mahakal Lok in Ujjain and now in Shri Omkareshawar, State Government is coming with development and expansion plan in the corridor and in the name of facilities several initiatives are underway. But increasing trend of VVIP darshan for which pilgrims have to shall out money is receiving strong criticism from visitors. Discerning people have strong objection over payment for Darshan in the name of VVIP at both these places. State has two Jyotirlingas, Shri Omkareshwar (Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga) and Shri Mahakaleshwar are being considered to be a Jyotirling amongst the 12 revered Jyotirlings. in Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, which is situated about 140 km north of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Khandwa.
Unlike previous practice of VVIP Darshan where only a very few people mainly highly influential people and their associates used to go for VVIP darshan. But after the Shri Mahakal Lok it has become normal practice for almost all the visitors to pay for VIP slip to avoid crowded queue to reach to sanctum sanctorum. There are sub-categories in VVIP Darshan’s also and rates for the same are differ. only criteria to differentiate between VIP and VVIP is slip rates. Those who pay higher amount become eligible for VVIP and those lesser will go in VIP queue. State Government in its first cabinet meeting gave a message about their concern about religious places and to revamp such places. A step ahead Mohan Yadav led government announced to form religious trust and senior most officials have been given task in different division to supervise progress. But the core interest of all this exercise is missing that is pilgrimages first and most important purpose is to have a glimpse of their god and goddess from which administration as per government’s plan has developed a system which is proving a hindrance to their prime effort to visit religious places. People who were standing since long hours in this boiling days got annoyed and burst in to anger. Rush at this places can be understand with this notice that “Important Notice - Online special darshan booking will not be available for every Saturday and Sunday. But the dates can be 11/05/24 and 12/05/24.”
On special festivals and holidays, lakhs of devotees come to see Lord Bholenath, which takes time for darshan. To save time and for convenience, arrangements have been made for darshan from a special entrance gate in the temple, for which a nominal fee has been charged. The said fee can be paid at the counter in the temple premises and a receipt can be obtained. Online booking facility is also available for special darshan. Special Darshan tickets are valid only on the booked date and can be used once whenever darshan is open. Not only devotees at the same who have donated in the name of VVIP darshan also have to face problem since they don’t get hassle free excess to the sanctum Sanatorium due to huge crowd. To avoid this,trust has decided to develop a new route for VVIPs. This route will be built directly from the six-storey ramp to Mahakaleshwar Temple. Presently there is arrangement for VIP darshan by paying a fee of three hundred rupees as donation. Separate route constructed by Omkareshwar Temple Trust to facilitate VIP darshan arrangements going. Due to crowd, VIP visitors face difficulty in getting darshan of Lord Omkareshwar Jyotirling even after paying fee. One has to face opposition from devotees. In view of this, the temple trust has planned to use the long unused six-storey ramp for VIP darshan. VIP visitors Arrangements are being made to bring it from the ramp to Sukhdev Muni Gate via Mahakaleshwar Temple. For this, a special route is being constructed to the ramp. This will cost around Rs 28 lakh.