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Archaeology department recommends chemical treatment for Shri Vitthal Idol in Pandharpur due to wear and tear

Pandharpur – After a meeting of the ‘Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee’, Vice-President H.B.P Gahininath Maharaj Ousekar informed journalists, “According to the Archaeology Department, continuous worship and Abhishek rituals performed by Varkaris have caused gradual wear and tear of the Shri Vitthal idol. To prevent further deterioration, the department has recommended a chemical preservation process.”

He further stated that the department will provide detailed instructions regarding the temple’s temporary closure for this process. “A written report will clarify whether the temple needs to remain closed for half a day or up to eight hours. The temple committee will discuss the recommendations and decide on the next steps,”, he added.

Take strict action against officials responsible for repeated chemical treatments on Shri Vittha idol in a short span!

Mandir Mahasangh and Varkaris strongly oppose chemical coating on Shri Vitthal Idol, calling it against religious scriptures! – Sunil Ghanwat, National Coordinator, Mandir Mahasangh

Sunil Ghanwat, National Coordinator, Mandir Mahasangh

Sunil Ghanwat has raised strong objections to the Archaeology Department’s recommendation for another chemical treatment on the idol of Shri Vitthal in Pandharpur – the revered deity of Maharashtra and the spiritual center for millions of devotees.

“In 2020, a similar chemical treatment was carried out, and we were assured that it would protect the idol for 8 to 10 years. If that claim was true, why is there a need to repeat the process just four years later? This raised serious concerns about the quality of the previous work. In reality, applying chemical coatings on a deity’s idol is completely against Hindu religious principles. Instead of addressing the root cause, repeated surface-level treatments could negatively impact the idol itself.”

He further stated, “Mandir Mahasangh and the Varkari community strongly oppose this chemical treatment. Additionally, strict action should be taken against the officials responsible for allowing such frequent chemical procedures on the idol within a short span.”

A press release issued in this regard stated :

1. In 2015, the Western Maharashtra Temple Management Committee carried out a Vajralepan (chemical coating) process on the idol of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi in Kolhapur. However, within just two years, the coating started to wear off. White patches began appearing on the idol, and the wear and tear continued. Despite opposition from Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, this non-traditional chemical treatment was imposed on devotees. As a result, the process now has to be repeated frequently, leading to a gradual alteration of the idol’s original form. We firmly believe that such an incident should not be allowed to happen in Pandharpur.

2. Therefore, we demand that before applying the chemical coating once again on Pandharpur’s Shri Vitthal idol, the temple committee should first disclose the report of the previous coating. Additionally, legal action should be taken against the officials responsible for carrying out that coating. If the idol is being coated under the pretext of wear and tear caused by the touch of Varkaris, then it must first be ensured that the process will not cause any damage, white patches, or alterations to the idol’s original form. If any such changes occur, then the officials of the archeology department, as well as the administrative officers and members of the temple committee, should be held accountable. Therefore, the chemical treatment on the Shri Vitthal’s idol should not be carried out in haste. Instead, it should be done with the involvement and confidence of the Varkari Sampradaya, all Vitthal devotees, saints, and religious scholars. A written report should be presented explaining, “What was achieved with the previous process? Why is there a need to repeat it?” This process must be conducted with full transparency. Mandir Mahasangh further demands that all information regarding this should be presented to the public in advance.

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