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Time of India
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Time of India
Copter bound for Pandharpur lands in Tuljapur, pilot claims location mix-up
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A helicopter heading to Pandharpur from Hyderabad made an unexpected landing in Dharashiv district's Tuljapur on Wednesday afternoon, triggering alarm. The pilot reportedly landed without clearance after misjudging the location, near a govt construction site. The public works department (PWD) subsequently fined the operator Rs 10,000. Dharashiv collector Keerthi Kiran Pujar told TOI, "We have been informed that the helicopter was heading to Pandharpur, a prominent religious destination situated in another district, but the pilot got confused between the two names and landed in Tuljapur." PWD officials said the helicopter, operated by Mumbai-based firm, departed Hyderabad around noon and landed near the Tuljabhavani temple around 1.30pm. "The spot it landed on is close to the PWD helipad located at the department's construction site on Naldurg Road, where no prior permission had been granted for any such landing," an official said. The unexpected landing of the helicopter, especially in a high-security zone near the temple, created confusion. Police and revenue department officials rushed to the site to investigate. When questioned, the pilot reportedly showed documents indicating that the copter was scheduled to land in Pandharpur and claimed the landing in Tuljapur was "due to a location mix-up". Tuljapur police officers, including assistant inspector Annasaheb Manjare, and PWD executive engineer Vijay Awale inspected the site and reviewed the landing documents. Since the landing was carried out without prior clearance from the district administration or aviation authorities, PWD imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the helicopter firm. The fine was paid promptly, and the helicopter departed from Tuljapur around 5.30pm, officials said. "The location is sensitive due to the large number of devotees visiting the temple. Unauthorized landings pose serious security concerns. Immediate action was taken to ensure rules were enforced," a senior police officer said. The officials also reported the matter to the district collector and the superintendent of police for further review.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Dharashiv sets record by planting 15L saplings in a day
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Dharashiv district administration set a new record by planting 15 lakh tree saplings in a single day on July 19, surpassing the previous record of 12.4 lakh trees planted by Indore in July 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The mega plantation drive was conducted under the banner of the Prime Minister's nationwide campaign "Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam", in tandem with Maharashtra's 10 crore Tree Plantation Drive and the local Harit Dharashiv Abhiyan. The event covered 294 locations across the district, spanning a combined area of 57 hectares. The drive featured the planting of 50 different indigenous varieties of trees, including peepal, neem, fruit-bearing trees, and native shrubs, focusing on enhancing both biodiversity and greenery across urban and rural landscapes. A standout feature of the campaign was the use of QR codes for every sapling, enabling real-time tracking, accountability, and transparent verification of the plantation process. Dharashiv collector Keerthi Kiran Pujar said, "This is not just a record, it's a movement. With every tree, we are honouring our mothers, our environment, and our future. The QR-based tracking system reflects our commitment to transparency and sustainability." "The event saw massive participation from local residents, NGOs, school children, govt staff, and forest personnel — all contributing to what is now being hailed as a historic step towards a greener Marathwada and Maharashtra," said Pujar.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Eight Tuljabhavani priests face action for spitting tobacco on the temple premises
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The temple administration of Tuljabhavani has issued notices to eight priests after surveillance footage showed them using tobacco and spitting inside the temple grounds, which officials consider a violation of the shrine's sanctity. The temple trust has indicated possible three-month entry restrictions for the priests, citing the Deul-e-Kawayat Act's sections 24 and 25 as grounds for disciplinary action. The administration said this conduct violated both priestly protocol and the sacred nature of the premises. The notices highlight how such actions negatively impact the temple's reputation and disrupt its functioning. Dharashiv collector Keerthi Kiran Pujar verified the situation and told TOI: "The CCTV cameras installed on the temple premises caught eight priests spitting. Notices have been served to those priests by the temple administration for explanation. Strict action will be taken against the guilty and they will be banned from temple entry for a fixed duration." The notices were issued to Vaibhav Bhosale, Vishal Magar, Lakhan Bhosale, Vishal Chavan, Vishal Gangane, Akshay Kishor Kadam-Bhaiyye, Rahul Pawar, and Dheeraj Chopdar. A senior temple administrator confirmed that the priests must provide written explanations within three days or face a three-month entry prohibition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The violation was discovered during standard CCTV footage review, which showed the priests consuming tobacco and spitting within the temple complex, breaking established rules. The administration stressed that tobacco products are forbidden in the temple premises, and violations, particularly by religious officials, warrant strict action. This enforcement action, while not unprecedented, represents one of the strongest disciplinary measures taken recently to maintain proper conduct among staff at this significant Maharashtra Shakti peetha. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
06-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Tuljapur temple to resume distribution of prasad with Chitale Bandhu laddoos
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: After a temporary halt, devotees visiting the revered Tulja Bhavani temple in Dharashiv district will soon receive laddoos as prasad, with Pune-based Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale roped in for preparation and supply. The decision comes as part of a renewed focus on ensuring purity and quality in religious offerings. Confirming the development, Dharashiv collector Keerthi Kiran Pujar told TOI, "The prasad in the form of laddoos will be prepared by Pune's famous Chitale Bandhu." He clarified that the sweet-maker is charging close to Rs 29 for 50g of laddoos, while the temple trust will be charging devotees Rs 30 only. The Tulja Bhavani temple trust stopped distributing prasad some time ago after receiving several complaints regarding its quality. In a significant policy shift, the trust floated tenders in Sept 2024, inviting reputed firms to take over prasad preparation. This move was prompted by heightened concerns nationwide, particularly after allegations of the use of animal fat and fish oil in the prasad served at the Tirupati Balaji temple created a stir among devotees. Chitale Bandhu, known for its high standards in sweet preparation, was selected through a transparent bidding process. The Tulja Bhavani temple is one of Maharashtra's most important religious destinations. It is counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas in India and draws lakhs of pilgrims every year. The temple also holds a special place in Maratha history, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj known to be a devout follower of the goddess. Officials said prasad distribution is likely to resume once the necessary logistics and packaging arrangements are finalised. The prasad will be made using pure ghee and traditional ingredients, aligning with the temple's cultural and spiritual heritage. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
