Cancelled! Prajakta Mali Calls Off Shiv Stuti Performance On Maha Shivratri In Trimbakeshwar Temple: Unwanted Importance…

Marathi actress Prajakta Mali backed out from a dance performance scheduled to be held at the famous Trimbakeshwar temple in Maharashtra’s Nashik on Mahashivratri on February 26. Mali, known for her roles predominantly in Marathi cinema and TV, shared a video in which she confirmed backing out from performing at the event which could have created a “law and order situation”, as per the local authorities.  

Scheduled for Wednesday and later cancelled dance act of Mali, one among several others, faced opposition from several quarters, with the Archaeological Survey of India also asking the temple authorities not to organise a cultural event there. Temple authorities confirmed that during her recent visit to the temple, Mali had expressed her willingness to stage a dance performance there.

The Trimbakeshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, sees a large number of devotees throughout the year. The temple authorities organised the Shiv Stuti dance performance by actor Prajakta Mali on the premises of the temple on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Wednesday. However, several persons, including former trustees of the temple, opposed it saying it would draw large crowds and may lead to a law and order situation. Officials of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar circle of the ASI on Monday wrote a letter to the temple authorities, asking them not to organise any cultural event there.

“It was not intended to be given much exposure and popularity. I never shared event information on my social media handles. I believe that this situation was given unwanted importance. Authorities fear that there will be a stampede-like situation. Everyone apart from me is still performing. I’m taking a step back even though I wanted to perform at the event. I have come to this conclusion after consultation with my family,” Mali said in a video shared on her Instagram handle.

Holding cultural programmes on the occasion of Mahashivratri on the temple premises is a violation of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 and its Rules, 1959, the ASI said. In its letter, the ASI also said that while the temple authorities charge Rs 200 for ‘VIP darshan’, it was a violation of the AMSAR Act as no such fees can be charged at non-ticketed monuments.

The letter also said that permission needs to be obtained beforehand from the ASI Directorate in New Delhi for such activities to avoid any harm to the monument of national importance. Organising such programmes may lead to overcrowding at the monument and result in law and order situation, it said. Former trustee of the Trimbakeshwar temple, Lalita Shinde, also opposed the planned event and submitted a letter to Deputy Superintendent of Police Vasudev Desle seeking action in this regard.