Icon of ‘naag’ missing from the idol of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi after its chemical restoration!

Will District Collector keep his word on holding Archaeology Department responsible for changes in idol made against science of sculpting ?

The serpent on the head of goddess seen in the part of the image which is encircled

The serpent on the head of goddess seen in the part of the image which is encircled

The serpent is no more a part of the sculpture after the chemical restoration process was done.

Mumbai : ‘Karaveer-nivaasini’ Shri Mahalakshmi is one of the 3 ‘Shakti-peethas’. Chemical restoration of the idol started from 23rd July 2015 and the process was completed on 6th August after which the idol was re-installed for devotees to have ‘darshan’. It has been observed by the people who undertake study of idols that after the chemical restoration process was completed, one of the 3 icons viz. ‘Naag, Yoni and Linga’ sculpted on the head of the idol, ‘naag’ is missing. A picture of the idol of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi was published by the District Collector before and after such restoration and the change was noticed.

No heed was paid although necessity for ‘naag’- icon was explained !

Persons, who have knowledge about science of sculpting, had explained to the Archaeology Department about the photographs of idol, reference found in holy scriptures before such chemical restoration work was to be undertaken; with specific explanation on necessity of icon of ‘nag’ on the idol; but the department has created a big crown instead of ‘naag’ with 3 coils. (Why did the Archaeology Department not check that the chemical process was undertaken properly ? It is an important Deity of Hindus’ ‘Shaktipeeth’ and when organizations like Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had warned about the likely problems of chemical coating ? Why the District Collector or the Archaeology Department or ‘Shri-pujaks’ did not keep a watch and take necessary care during the process ? Who is now to be held responsible for these mistakes ? – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)

‘Naag’ coil was not observed when the process was undertaken ! – Dr. Manoj Singh, Superintendent and expert – Chemistry, Aurangabad Archaeology Department

Icon of ‘naag’ was not seen before taking up the chemical process. We had taken photographs when we took the idol into custody in 1992 but there was no icon of ‘naag’ on the head of the idol.

There was no icon of ‘naag’ – Opinion of ‘Shri-pujaks’ exhibiting their ignorance

According to a senior ‘Shri-pujak’ Baburao Thanekar, who is 81 years old, he has been observing the idol since he was 8 years old. Chemical coating was done even in 1955 when he was there but he had never seen icon of ‘naag’ on the head of the idol, He felt that the descriptions of idols must be very old and with time, changes have occurred. He, however, remembers to have seen ‘matru-linga’ on the idol but not ‘naag (serpent)’.

Joint Secretary of ‘Shri-pujak Mandal’, Ajit Thanekar said that in past 43 years, the icon of ‘naag’ was never seen clearly.

Umasingh Rana, who is a scholar of science related to idols, gives different proofs of the idol having icon of ‘naag’ over its head !

1. Pundit Hemadri, who was the main Minister of King from Yadav dynasty, has described the idol of Goddess in a book titled ‘Chaturvarga Chintamani’ as the only Goddess in Karveer, with 3 icons of ‘Naag’, ‘linga’ and ‘yoni’.

2. In a book called ‘Karveer Mahatmya’, in 7th verse of 13th chapter, the Goddess is described as ‘Pannagankita Mastakam’ i.e. Devi with serpent on Her head.

3. In the regular ‘aarti’ of Devi also there is description as ‘Mastaki linga, Mahidhar, Hastaki Divya Gadaa (i.e. linga and serpent on head and a mace in Her hand).

4. There is a rock-inscription, made in 1218 in Sanskrut, belonging to the period of Yadav Singhan, the Second; on the east side of right pillar as one climbs steps towards Ganapati temple in the premises of Shri Mahalakshmi Mandir, the inscription clearly says about the idol as – ‘Shirasaalingam Sheshaaghaughahaarini’.

5. In holy book ‘Durga-Saptashati’, there is clear mention about Deity Ambabai, with icon of ‘naag’ on her head.

6. As per ‘Murtishastra (science related to sculpting of idol)’, an idol with necessary signs of ‘naag’, ‘linga’, ‘gada’, ‘khetak’, ‘pan patra’, ‘mhalunga’ etc. can only be an idol of ‘Karveer- vaasini’ Ambabai. The form of the idol changes even if a single sign is shifted from its place.

7. Signs of ‘linga’, ‘naag’ and ‘yoni’ prove, this is the ‘Adi-shakti’ form of Devi !

– Shri. Umasingh Rana, ‘Murtyabhyasak’ (one studying idols)

Are devotees going to tolerate use of alcohol for restoration of idol?

Idol was injected with saline made of sand and alcohol ! – Dr. Singh

Dr. Manoj Singh, heading the process of chemical coating undertaken for restoration said, “The idol was first injected with sand mixed with alcohol. This chemical was brought from Germany.”

News confirming the same has also been published in which it has been stated that Chemical called ethyl silica was injected in the idol (without drilling).Since ethyl evaporates in air; but silica has minute particles which rest on the idol filling up all gaps and holes etc.

                                        Farce of natural coating due to pressurization of local Hindutvavadis !

It was decided in the meeting with District Collector to give chemical coating. Later, few newspapers published news about giving coating with natural material. In this connection, our representative contacted Dr. Singh when he said, “If such coating is there, please make it available.” The local residents then brought it and it was used after chemical coating was done.”

‘M-seal’ was used in so much quantity for sealing erosion of idol that we spent lot of time in cleaning, informed Dr. Singh.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat