Yavatmal, Devotees flocked the Chintamani Ganesh Mandir as water flooded the Ganesh Kund area in front of sanctum sanctorum of the temple at Kalamb on the Yavatmal-Nagpur Road. It is believed that Ganga enters the temple premises for the darshan of Lord Chintamani once in every 12 years and the water recedes after it touches the feet of the Lord. But this phenomenon did not happen after 1995. As the temple gates were opened on Friday, people witnessed water inside the Ganeshkund. Photographs and videos of the incident went viral and hundreds of people thronged the temple. The huge crowd forced the district administration to issue instructions to the temple committee and to people not to crowd the temple. As the crowd increased, police personnel had to be deployed at the temple to control the situation. The temple and civic administration have appealed people to use mask and maintain social distancing in view of the prevailing coronavirus pandemic. According to experts, the water level in the Chakravati river has risen due to heavy rains this year.

 

The Chintamani temple is deep under the soil level and the water from Chakravati river when flooded enters the temple’s Ganesh Kund due to some geological reasons. Meanwhile, the temple administration is allowing Darshan only from the front side and they have appealed the devotees not to flock the temple as the Ganga Darshan will continue for next 15 days, The District Collector has also appealed devotees not to crowd the temple premises for Darshan. The Collector held a meeting with the Chairman of the Chintamani Devasthan Chandubhau Chandore. Additional Superintendent of Police Khanderao Dharne, Resident Deputy Collector Lalit Kumar Warhade, Sub-Divisional Officer Ralegaon and other officials were also present. The Collector gave necessary instructions to the concerned officials regarding following of the rules that have been prepared by the district administration and temple administration for Chintamani darshan. The entrance and exit routes have been kept separate to avoid crowding at the temple. To control the crowd, 60 police personnel, eight police officers and home guards have been deployed and barricades have been erected all over the temple premises.

 

Vehicles have been banned till 200 metres distance from the temple and parking facility has been made at Ralegaon Chaufuli, 350 metres away from the temple premises. The Nagar Panchayat has been instructed to maintain cleanliness, provide water supply and toilet facilities in the temple premises. Also, the Taluka Health Officer has appointed a mobile vaccination team and the district administration as well as the temple administration has appealed the devotees to get vaccinated. The administration has appealed only those devotees who have taken both doses of Covid-19 vaccination to come for Darshan.