Menu Close

Major victory for Mandir Mahasangh and Warkaris as Court stays chemical coating of the revered Shri Vitthal-Rukmini idols

Pandharpur, Maharashtra – In a significant development, the Civil Court (Junior Division) here has granted an immediate stay on the proposed chemical coating (vajralep) of the revered Swayambhu Shri Vitthal-Rukmini idols, the presiding Deities worshipped by millions of devotees.

The conservation process had been scheduled for June 23 and 24 by the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temples Committee and the Archaeological Department. Hearing a petition filed by representatives of the Warkari Sampradaya, Shri Balkrishna Dingare, and Shri Purushottam (Ganesh) Lanke of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, Hon’ble Civil Judge (Junior Division) Sonali Raul directed that no coating of any kind be undertaken until further orders. 

Arguments in Court

Advocate Sudhir Ranade, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, presented detailed arguments before the Court concerning the sanctity of the idols and the  shortcomings of the proposed conservation process.

Referring to Hindu Dharma Shastras (religious scriptures), the counsel submitted that a consecrated idol is not merely a stone sculpture but a living embodiment of divine presence (Prana). Consequently, any conservation activity must conform strictly to scriptural principles and traditional religious practices.

The petitioners contended that the Temple Committee and the Archaeological Department intended to use epoxy and other artificial chemical compounds to fill cracks in the idols. It was further pointed out that despite four previous rounds of chemical coating, the administration had failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the process, yet was proceeding with the same method. According to the petitioners, artificial chemicals obstruct the natural breathing of the stone and could eventually render the idols brittle and hollow from within. 

Precedents and religious consensus

A significant reference was made to the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple case. The petitioners argued that the apex court had made it clear that administrative authorities should not take decisions that adversely affect the religious sentiments of devotees or disregard established traditions.

The Court was also informed that the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Karveer Peeth had formally expressed opposition to the proposed chemical coating. Taking these submissions into consideration, the Court ordered an immediate halt to the process. 

Mandir Mahasangh welcomes decision to protect sanctity

Welcoming the Court’s decision, Shri Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, raised serious concerns regarding the manner in which the matter had been handled by the authorities.

He stated, “Neither the Temple Committee nor the Archaeological Department has provided a scientific explanation as to how a depression allegedly developed in the foot of Shri Pandurang’s idol during the COVID-19 lockdown period, despite the idol having remained intact on its sacred brick for centuries, or why the feet of Goddess Rukmini had deteriorated.”

He further noted that although discussions had been held in the presence of the District Collector, the administration had not disclosed the exact chemicals proposed for use or the details of the conservation methodology. The sudden announcement of the temple’s closure for the coating process had also created unnecessary confusion among devotees.

Shri. Ghanwat emphasised that a traditional Ayurvedic Vajralep constitutes a safer and more culturally appropriate method of conservation that is entirely consistent with religious traditions. He expressed hope that, in future, the Temple Committee would avoid unilateral decisions and give due consideration to the sentiments of the Warkari Sampradaya, Dharmacharyas, Saints, Mahants, and Hindu organisations before undertaking such actions. 

Mandir Mahasangh and Warkari Sampradaya oppose chemical coating on Shri Vitthal-Rukmini idols

Jun 17, 2026

Controversy over forcible chemical coating on idols; criminal case to be filed against temple committee and archaeology department if Shri Vitthal’s idol is damaged

From left – Vinod Rasal, Chandrakant Ramanashetti, H.B.P. Ramkrishna Hanumant Maharaj Veer, Sunil Ghanavat, Prasad Pandit, and Rajan Bunge.

Pandharpur, Maharashtra – The Warkari Sampradaya and the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh have strongly opposed the chemical conservation process (epoxy/silicon) scheduled for June 23rd–24th by the archaeological department on the ‘Swayambhu’ Shri Vitthal-Rukmini idols, the revered deities of crores of Hindus.

The administration had earlier claimed that the coating applied during the Covid-19 period would last for 10 years. However, the need for another coating within just 4–5 years itself proves the failure of this chemical process. Neither the temple committee nor the archaeological department has been able to provide any scientific explanation as to how a depression (dent) formed on the feet of Lord Pandurang; who has stood safely on the brick for ages; during the Covid lockdown, and why the feet of Shri Rukmini mata deteriorated.

Artificial chemicals block the natural respiration of stone, posing a grave risk of the idol becoming brittle from within. If the administration takes a unilateral step without taking warkari saints, mahants, and idol experts into confidence, it will trigger massive public outrage across Maharashtra. If an attempt is made to forcibly carry out this chemical coating despite protests, we will file a petition in court against the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini temple committee and the archaeology department. This warning was given by Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, National Organizer of the Mahasangh, during a press conference. A memorandum regarding this has been submitted to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, District Collector, and the temple committee.

Prominent personalities present on the occasion included H.B.P. Ramkrishna Hanumant Maharaj Veer of Warkari Paik Sangh, Shri. Prasad Pandit (Presiding Dharmadhikari of Pragnyapuri Dnyanpeeth, Akkalkot), Shri. Chandrakant Ramanashetti (District Coordinator of Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti), Shri. Vinod Rasal of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, and Shri. Rajan Bunge of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.

Why insist on chemical coating in Pandharpur when organic coating was used for Kolhapur’s Shri Mahalaxmi 10 years ago?

10 years ago, between July 22nd and August 6th, 2015, when M.R. Singh, an official of the Central Archaeological Department, carried out the conservation process on the idol of Shri Mahalaxmi Devi in Kolhapur, a mixture containing the powder of the exact stone from which the idol was carved was used. Organic ingredients, including extracts of baheda, durva, and marking nut (Bibba) oil, were used in that process. If an organic coating process was suitable for the idol of Shri Mahalaxmi Devi back then, why is there an insistence on chemical coating for Pandharpur’s Shri Vitthal now? If that action was correct, the current move must be termed incorrect. What does archaeological department official Vilas Vahane want to achieve by insisting on expensive and unscientific chemical coatings instead of affordable organic ones? There is definitely room to suspect a conspiracy to exhaust excess funds!

Chemical coating on idols is wrong – Karveer Peeth Shankaracharya

When asked for his opinion on the matter, Shri Swami Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Karveer Peeth stated, “According to the maxim ‘Yatha Dehe Tatha Deve’ (As with the body, so with the deity), just as chemicals burn or harm our body, they cause harm to the idol. Therefore, our clear opinion is that chemical conservation should not be done.” This raises the question of whether the officials of the archaeology department claim to know better than an advanced spiritual authority like the Shankaracharya.

H.B.P. Ramkrishna Hanumant Maharaj Veer of Warkari Paik Sangh stated, “In the last few years, chemical experiments have been conducted on the idol 4 to 5 times, and it is visibly causing damage. History shows that the chemical process on the idol of Shri Mahalaxmi Devi in Kolhapur caused immense damage, yet the same mistake is being repeated in Pandharpur. Legal liability (civil and criminal) must be fixed before any scientific process is initiated. If the idols of Lord Vitthal or Rukmini mata suffer any damage during this process, Warkari and Hindu organizations will approach the court to file direct criminal cases against the concerned officials and the Temple committee for hurting religious sentiments and damaging national heritage.” 

Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh submits memoranda across Yavatmal district

Submitting the memorandum to Tehsildar Meera Pagore in Babhulgaon

Through memoranda submitted at various locations in Yavatmal district, the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh urged the State Government and the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee to fix legal responsibility for idol conservation and ensure that any treatment is carried out only in accordance with Dharmashastra and Ayurvedic principles.

A memorandum was submitted through the District Collector’s office in Yavatmal, while a similar representation was also presented to Tehsildar Meera Pagore in Babhulgaon. Mandir Mahasangh office-bearers, temple representatives and local members were present on the occasion.

Read more on Mandir Mahasanghsave temples

Latest News