Garhwal Post Bureau
Almora, 22 Apr: In a rather weird and unusual incident at the world-renowned Jageshwar Dham, the Bareilly District Magistrate (DM) entered the temple’s sanctum sanctorum accompanied by an armed guard during worship. Priests immediately protested, terming the entry a blatant violation of religious decorum. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, 19 April, prompted swift action from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), creating quite a stir at the site.
It may be recalled that Bareilly District Magistrate Avinash Singh had arrived at Jageshwar Dham for darshan and proceeded to the sanctum with his gunman following him up to the sanctum sanctorum. While performing Navagraha puja, the armed security personnel stood nearby with a carbine. When priests raised objections, the gunman cited security protocols and the DM’s protection needs. Eyewitnesses noted the gunman’s presence right beside Singh during the rituals.
Priests expressed fury over weapons in the sanctum, with temple attendants like Pandit Naveen Chandra Bhatt, Pandit Manoj Bhatt, Pooran Bhatt, trade association president Mukesh Bhatt, Pandit Gopal Bhatt, Pandit Basant Bhatt, and Khimanand Bhatt leading the charge. They reminded that even Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had adhered to norms by leaving armed security outside during their visits. Local devotees joined in, fuelling discussions and demands for strict action across the temple premises.
The priests described the breach as a direct assault on sacred traditions, insisting that the temple’s sanctity must remain inviolable under all circumstances. They recalled past VIP visits, including the Prime Minister’s, where exceptional security arrangements still respected the no-weapons rule in the sanctum. This episode, they argued, wounds the very essence of religious protocols cherished for generations. The temple is am ASI protected site.
ASI Superintendent Archaeologist Neeraj Maithani stated that new flex boards would be installed to enforce rules clearly. These displays will outline prohibitions for devotees and visitors alike, aiming to preserve temple purity while strengthening security. Local authorities have received directives to stay vigilant and prevent recurrences, underscoring zero tolerance for compromises on religious sites’ dignity.
The issue also reached Dehradun, prompting ASI Circle Superintendent Mohan Chandra Joshi to affirm that weapons are strictly banned in sanctums. He stated that an investigation into the Jageshwar Dham matter is underway, with action promised against those found guilty.
In his response, DM Avinash Singh claimed that he needed water mid-puja and instructed his gunman accordingly, leading to his inadvertent entry with the carbine. He affirmed familiarity with Jageshwar Dham traditions, having visited earlier this January with his wife for hawan after his father’s passing. Singh apologised profusely, calling the lapse unintentional and vowing it would not be repeated.
