INDORE/UJJAIN/MAHESHWAR/KHARGONE: Liquor ban at religious places in Madhya Pradesh has thrown up an interesting question-what of the famed Kal Bhairav Mandir in Ujjain where liquor is the main “prasad”?
In stalls outside the temple, every basket of offerings has a liquor bottle and a coconut. In fact, the state govt runs liquor counters outside the temple to ensure devotees are not swindled.
While local officials await instructions from govt, chief minister Mohan Yadav was quite clear in replying to a reporter’s query about Kal Bhairav temple. “You may take the prasad to temple,” the CM said. Asked if there was a complete ban on consumption of liquor in religious cities, he said: “Arre… If we close down the shops, where will one get liquor to drink?” Liquor shops in Ujjain will close from April 1 after the cabinet decision. But it seems liquor prasad will continue to be served at the temple of Lord Kal Bhairav.
Temple priest Om Prakash Chaturvedi told TOI despite previous moves to ban liquor, “traditions have never been broken at the temple”. “Even during Simhastha festival in 2016, alcohol was offered to the deity despite a ban. The govt provides a counter through the excise department to ensure that devotees have access to alcohol for the offerings,” he said.
Offering alcohol to the deity is an ancient practice, he said. “These deities are considered ‘Tamasic’. Similarly, Goddess Kalika is also offered alcohol,” he explained.
Assistant commissioner (excise) Rajnarayan Soni said issue of alcohol “prasad” at the temple will be decided by govt. “Currently, there are two (liquor) counters for devotees outside the temple. They are operated under excise department’s supervision. There’re no licensed shops nearby,” he said.
Hinting at prohibition, Yadav said: “In the first step to bring about an end to drinking in the state, liquor vends in 19 holy towns will be shut down. These shops will not be shifted elsewhere. Liquor shops will be completely shut in Ujjain Municipal Corporation limits.” He said later that “liquor will be banned in a systematic manner in other places as well”.