Ambaji: The locals, devotees and Hindu bodies have all together protested the decision to discontinue Mohanthal sweet as prasad at Ambaji Mata Mandir.

The Mohanthal Prasad is given to the devotees visiting Ambaji Mata Mandir for decades. However, the district administration which also controls the affairs of the Mandir has decided to give Chikki as prasad instead of Mohanthal. The Hindu bodies have given an ultimatum of 48 hours and asked the district administration to cange its decision. Over 100 workers associated with Mohanthal prasad have become unemployed due to the decision, the protesters claim.

Banaskantha collector Anand Patel said that the Chikki prasad will be given instead of Mohanthal from now onwards as there is a demand of dry prasad among devotees. Patel claimed that dry prasad would not spoil and continue to be consumable for many days. However, the devotees who protest the decision claim that Mohanthal prasad is anyway consumed by devotees within a week. A devotee also questioned the use of oil in Chikki, while Mohanthal prasad is made using ghee. “How can Mataji can be catered oil made prashad instead of ghee?” questioned a devotee.

Another devotee said, “Nathdwara mandir can’t be imagined without Thor sweet as prasad, Mahudi mandir can’t be imagined without Sukhdi sweet as prasad, likewise Ambaji mandir has a convention of Mohanthal prasad, why to temper this identity and conventional practice associated with Ambaji mandir?”

Dakshesh Mehta, Spokesperson of Vishwa Hindu Parishad said – “the use of oil is not preferred in Mataji’s mandir. Ghee is used even in Mashaal. If we have hair oil, we wash our heads and then visit the temple. The administration now wants to introduce chiki prashad that has oil mixed in it. How can this be allowed? The administration of the temple is done by Government officials who have no knowledge and no interest in managing the temple well. The temple must be freed from the clutches of the Government and handed over to Hindus. Mohanthal is something that can be consumed by an old person who has no teeth even. How such persons can consume Chiki?”

Mehta further stated, “commoners are not allowed to sit in Chachar chowk, the place which offers mental peace to people. Security persons behave very roughly with the visitors contrary to the temples in the South where people are welcomed with folded hands. Mohanthal prashad is made in an underground facility where water leakage happens during monsoons. Complaints have been made a number of times for repair but there’s no response. The gates of mandir are closed in various directions. Man Sarovar where the custom of Babri takes place has no water and one needs to manage water from outside. Those who offer Annakoot require to cross a drainage channel during Parikrama. Garbha griha must be reserved for Bhattji and linked Brahmins who offer puja, but persons for administration try to dominate that space. Prasad of Mohanthal is charged and not distributed through donation money that the mandir receives. Chikki is offered for Rs. 25 against the market price of Rs. 20. Thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi, 51 Shaktipeeth mandirs are built around Ambaji Gabbar, but Brahmins and Pujaris are not appointed for each mandir. Thaal is not offered in each shakti pith mandir and sarees are not changed daily. At Chachar chowk, earlier the occasions of Poonam would witness Garba. Old women of Ambaji would gather in Chachar chowk often and sing Anand no Garbo. But the administration has stopped all these activities and such women are no more allowed. ”

A Karmakandi Brahmin Kiritbhai Trivedi said – “Goddesses must be offered Mishtann, meaning a mixture of Anna, Saakar and Ghee. Therefore Laddu, Lapsi, Magas, Mohanthal are offered. Chiki can’t be a substitute of Mohanthal. It can be offered alongside Mohanthal. Chiki can’t be offered to Goddesses.”

Previously, the Ambaji Mandir staff used to make Mohanthal prasad while the contract to an external party was given only for its packing. A contract was given without issuing a tender for making Mohanthal prasad in 2014. It was challenged in the high court, following which the high court had ordered a stay. The contract for making Mohanthal prasad was given to Mohini caterers in 2018 through a tender process. DeshGujarat