Mahakal Jyotirlinga eroding

Indore, Nov 15 (UNI) 'Jyotirlingam' of Lord Mahakal at temple town Ujjain is gradually getting eroded.

More than 30 square cm scalp of the holy 'lingam' has come out with nearly 7-8 mm thickness from the eastern side along with 3-4 similar circular patches, having 2-2.5 cm diameter and 6.5 mm depth, just above the bigger patch.

The entire holy 'lingam' is having geological scaling on the western side. Two vertical carving has raised concern that the 'lingam' will have enough chances of splitting in three pieces in future.

Dr Ram S Shrivastava, a known scientist closely observing the holy lingam since 1953, is convinced that if due care was not taken than ''we will have to cut a sorry figure in future.'' He said the Mahakal was the oldest 'Jyotirlingams' out of 12 'Jyotirlingams' in the country and the only one facing south.

The Mahakal temple was destroyed by Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish of Delhi in 1235 and it was later restored by the Scindias in the 19th century.

There is 5,000-year-old record available for worships. It is believed that the 'Jyotirlingam' was found inside the Koti Teerth Kunda in the Mahakal campus and the temple was first constructed by King Vikramaditya.

Dr Shrivastava said one of the reason for erosion could be pouring of chlorinated water -- nearly 25,000 litres a day -- besides about 80 'pundits' from 16 Brahmin families massaging the lingam on rotation basis using Bhat Shringar, Bhang Shirngar etc.

Milk and other offerings could be accounted in tonnes. Almost every visitor touched the holy shrine and often rubbed and pressed it during prayers.

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