Only sprinkling of water on stone
Shillong, July 12: The Meghalaya High Court has permitted a yatra to Mawjymbuin cave in Mawsynram with conditions, including no puja rituals to be performed at the site revered by the Hindus.
The High Court ruling is significant in view of the recent controversy over Hindu pilgrims performing puja and littering the prime tourist destination in East Khasi Hills district.
The court issued permission for the yatra as organisers had agreed to obey certain conditions to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
The district authorities will supervise the yatra where the pilgrims will not perform any puja or rituals at the cave, and will not bring any articles for such purposes.
Restriction has also been imposed on pouring of water on the vertical stone, revered as linga, and only allowed to sprinkle water on it in a symbolic manner, and not in excess.
Meanwhile, the organisers have agreed to engage private security or volunteers as traffic wardens to assist with the yatra while state authorities will maintain security and law and order.
The court has received undertakings from East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner and dorbar shnong of Mawsinram village for allowing the organisers to undertake the yatra under the given conditions.
Hearing the petition, the single judge bench headed by justice HS Thangkhiew listed the matter for further orders on July 31 and has directed the parties to discuss and decide on the dates for the yatra.
