Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai Bans Prasad, Coconuts, and Garlands: Here's Why

Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai Bans Prasad, Coconuts, and Garlands: Here's Why (PTI image)

Siddhivinayak Temple: In a significant move aimed at enhancing security, the management of Mumbai's famed Siddhivinayak Temple announced on Friday that it will no longer accept coconuts, garlands, or prasad (offering) from devotees starting May 11. The decision, according to temple officials, is based on security concerns and the need to protect the large number of visitors the temple attracts daily.

Located in the Prabhadevi area of South Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the most visited religious sites in India, drawing thousands of devotees. Given the temple’s popularity, security has always been a priority.

Chairman of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir Trust, Sada Sarvankar, explained that the temple is on the radar of security agencies due to its high-profile nature. In fact, a senior police official recently met with the temple trust to discuss measures for ensuring safety. According to Sarvankar, the authorities raised specific concerns about the offerings brought by devotees.

“Coconuts offered to Lord Ganesha are not always detected during security screening, and this poses a potential danger. Similarly, prasad could be laced with harmful substances. To mitigate these risks, we have decided to temporarily stop allowing these offerings,” Sarvankar said.

The decision to implement these changes is largely influenced by the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, which have contributed to increased security risks at various public places, including religious sites.

Sarvankar also mentioned that the temple has engaged in discussions with local flower vendors. These vendors, he said, were keen to implement the new policy from May 11 so that they could clear out their existing stock.

In a further effort to ensure the safety and satisfaction of devotees, the trust is exploring options to provide alternative offerings like flowers and ‘durva’ grass, which is traditionally known to be a favorite of Lord Ganesha. These measures are aimed at maintaining the devotional atmosphere of the temple while prioritizing safety.

Additionally, to bolster security further, the temple trust is planning to hire 20 retired armed forces personnel, who will be armed and tasked with ensuring the safety of the temple premises. However, Sarvankar emphasized that the responsibility of protecting the devotees ultimately rests with both the police and the temple trust.

This temporary measure, aimed at enhancing security, will remain in place until further notice, with the temple management promising to review the situation as needed. The move is seen as a proactive step in safeguarding both the religious site and its visitors in an increasingly uncertain security environment.