Court restrains chemical dressing of idol Lord Vitthal

• Issuance of legal order

A court in Solapur granted an interim order preventing the Pandharpur temple committee from applying a chemical coating on the idol of Lord Vitthal.

• Religious objections raised

Plaintiffs argued that modern chemicals such as epoxy resin violate scriptural ‘shastras’ and pollute ancient divinity, advocating for traditional ‘vajralep’.

• Standing of the temple committee

The committee claimed that the restoration was recommended by the Archeology Department to prevent wear and tear ahead of the Ashadi Ekadashi pilgrimage.

• Reasoning of the court

The judge ruled that the idol belongs to all believers and any action affecting it requires their consent, citing no immediate urgency for the dress.

• Influence on believers

Lakhs of warkaris undertake an annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur, offering prayers at the Vitthal-Rukmini temple during Ashadi Ekadashi.