After Lord Shiva moves court, HC orders opening of Chandigarh temple gates for Maha Shivratri

The court has directed that the doors be closed again after March 2.

bActing on a petition filed by Lord Shiva, the deity of Chandigarh’s Prachin Shiv Mandir, Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the temporary unsealing of the main gates of the temple to accommodate devotees during Maha Shivratri celebrations on February 26 and a ‘Langar Sewa’ on March 2.

The court has directed that the doors be closed again after March 2.

To ensure safety, the court said that the crowd must be managed under military police supervision. The festival attracts a large number of devotees.

The division bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Vikas Suri issued the ruling while hearing a petition filed by Lord Shiva, the deity of the temple, through advocates Dinesh Kumar Malhotra and Saksham Malhotra.

The petitioners had argued that the continued sealing of the temple gates could cause a stampede.

The Chandigarh administration informed the court that the temple premises had been taken over following an eviction order under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.

The court did not comment on the validity of the eviction order or the authority of the temple committee.

According to an Indian Express report, the court cleared that its order was only to ensure the safety of devotees during the upcoming religious events.

The sealing of Prachin Shiv Mandir has been a contentious issue. Both the devotees and temple authorities have challenged the move.

This ruling offers temporary relief to worshippers ahead of Maha Shivratri.

The Chandigarh administration maintains that the eviction order was legally justified, but according to the petitioner's claim, restricting access to the temple is a violation of religious rights.