7 days ago
Tuljabhavani temple trust denies missing ceremonial sword claim
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Shri Tuljabhavani Temple Trust on Saturday refuted allegations that the ceremonial sword used in the temple's traditional rituals was missing or stolen.
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Dharashiv district collector Keerthi Kiran Pujar, who also heads the temple administration, told TOI, "The sword is safe and secure at the Wakojibuwa mutt, where it is being worshipped daily under the supervision of Mahant Tukojibuwa Guru Bajajibuwa."
Shri Tulja Bhavani Bhope Pujari Mandal's president, Amar Raje Kadam, caused a stir after writing a letter to the administration claiming the sword was either missing or stolen, and demanded that efforts be made to trace it.
When contacted, Kadam said, "On learning that the sword — which is hundreds of years old — was missing, we contacted the temple administration. The officials in the administration initially told us they were not aware of the matter. Later, when we raised the issue, they claimed they had kept the sword at the mutt, which is outside the temple premises and in our eyes, it is a breach of the tradition." However, the temple administration said the temple is currently undergoing several conservation and restoration works, including measures to strengthen the spiritual sanctity of the premises.
As part of this initiative, a Durga Saptashati Anushthan was conducted on June 16, to enhance the spiritual energy of the temple. The ritual was led by Ganeshwar Dravid Shastri from Kashi (Varanasi) and was attended by senior priests, mahants, temple officials, and devotees.
Following this ritual, the sword in question was handed over to the Mathadhipati Mahant Tukojibuwa Guru Bajajibuwa of Wakojibuwa mutt, where the daily worship practice is underway.
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Reacting to the claims suggesting that the sword was stolen or missing, the temple administration said such claims are false, baseless, and misleading.
The statement emphasised that the sword is not only intact but also under proper security and in regular use for rituals.
"All conservation activities, including the spiritual rituals, are being conducted with full transparency and under proper guidance. The ceremonial sword remains in the custody of Mahant Tukojibuwa and is worshipped regularly at Wakojibuwa mutt," said Arvind Bhosale, administrative officer of the Tuljabhavani Temple Trust.
The temple urged devotees and the general public not to believe rumours.
