What is the Mohanthal vs Chikki controversy surrounding the Shaktipeeth Ambaji Temple in Gujarat

The VHP has protested the decision by the Temple administration and said that Mohanthal as Prasad must be given instead of chikkis.

Many Hindu organisations are up in arms after the Shaktipeeth Ambaji Temple in Gujarat decided to distribute Chikki as Prasad instead of Mohanthal.

Criticism has come in from various quarters including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

On March 4, the Temple announced that Mohanthal, a traditional sweet Prasad would be replaced with chikki. Hindu Hitarakshak Samithi held a meeting and requested the Temple to revoke their decision. The organisation also gave the Temple 48 hours to change their decision. However after the time-line ended, the organisation met again and postponed the the protests in the event of Holi.

Mohanthal is a traditional made of besan, sugar, ghee and milk. It is a traditional Gujarati sweet and has served as Prasad for many years at various Temples. Chikki is on the other hand a sweet made of jaggery and nuts.

The Temple administration said that the shelf life of Mohanthal is just 8-10 days. Chikki on the other hand can be stored for three months. According to the administration, it would benefit a lot of devotees. Furthermore the Chikki Prasad can be sent via courier, the Temple administration said.

It has also been said that the devotees had from time-to-time raised the demand for dry Prasad and hence chikki was the solution for the same. The administration said that chikki could be send to the NRI devotees as well. Contracts were to be given to Banas Dairy and Amul Dairy for the preparation of chikkis.

On March 11, heath minister of Gujarat, Rishikesh Paten supported the Shaktipeeth Ambaji Temple administration in changing the Prasad from Mohanthal to Chikki.

"People do not take Mohanthal despite it being Prasad as they believe that it cannot be eaten during fasting on auspicious days such as Agiyars or Poonam. Due to this, the Temple administration decided to offer chikki as Prasad instead," he said.

He also spoke about the shelf-life of chikkis.

"The shelf-life of Mohanthal is only eight to ten days. The shelf-life of chikki is three months," he said.

The chikki which is to be distributed as Prasad is similar to what is available in the market. However it is made of special kind of mawa and peanuts. He said that the Prasad could be stored for up to three months and also carried in bulk. "Chikki Prasad can be delivered anywhere in India and abroad. The sale of Chikki Prasad is same as that of Mohanthal," the minister added.

On March 11, VHP National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal expressed his displeasure over the statement issued by the minister.

The VHP has made a request to Gujarat chief minister to ensure that the state ministers do not make any statement that would anger the devotees.

"Protest against the dictatorship of the administration by protesting against the closure of traditional prasad in Shaktipeeth Ambaji temple by @VHPGUJOFFICIAL

area minister Ashok Rawal ji. Hail Lord Ambe.#SaveAmbajiTemple," the VHP spokesperson said in a tweet.