Siddhivinayak Temple Bans Coconuts And Prasad As Precaution Against Possible Terror Threats

Mumbai: The Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi has announced a ban on coconuts and prasad inside the temple premises from Sunday.

Mumbai's most visited Hindu shrine, dedicated to Lord Ganesh, said that the step was taken as a safety precaution because coconuts can be used to conceal explosives.

Sada Sarvankar, chairman of the temple trust and former MLA, told FPJ that the decision was taken after an advisory from the police and the Maharashtra government. “Coconuts are a nightmare as far as security is concerned. It is time-consuming to check every coconut. Sweets carry the risk of a poison attack on pilgrims,” said Sarvankar, who added that the vendors outside the temples have been asked to stop buying fresh stock. The vendors have been given two days to finish off existing stocks.

Sarvankar said it has not been decided how long the ban will be in force. He said there was no specific terror threat, but the security measures have been introduced as a precaution. During the ban period, devotees can carry small bundles of dhruva grass and flowers as offerings to Lord Ganesha. Heavy garlands have also been banned. A notice about the ban is expected to be issued to pilgrims today.

The temple imposed a similar ban in June 2007 as a precautionary measure. The temple had often figured in the terrorist hit list. In 2006, after a series of terror attacks in the city's suburban railway system, the temple built a crash wall around its boundary with an arterial road. This was to protect the possibility of an explosive-laden vehicle from crashing into the temple compound.

Meanwhile, the temple organised special prayers to thank Lord Ganesha for 'Operation Sindoor', the Indian military's successful strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan. Acharya Pawan Tripathi, the temple trust's treasurer, led the prayers. The Lord's altar was decorated with the tricolour.