What is the tradition of offering chadar in Trimbakeshwar, Aurangzeb broke Shivling then the story of renovation, know everything

Mumbai: An attempt was made by some people of another community to enter the Trimbakeshwar temple and offer a chadar to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shankar in Nashik district of Maharashtra on Saturday evening. Trimbakeshwar temple is in the center of discussion because of this matter. At present, Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an SIT probe into the matter. Which will be under the supervision of ADG level officer. The temple administration claims that the priests and security guards foiled the attempt to offer the chadar. During this there was a lot of controversy between the two sides. Even though Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have expressed strong objection in this matter, but this is not the first case. A similar incident had happened earlier last year as well. When people from other communities tried to enter this temple.

On the other hand, people of other communities say that they never tried to go to the Shivling and offer the sheet, but tried to show the sheet from a distance as per the decades-old tradition. Let us tell you what is that tradition after all. Apart from this, who demolished Trimbakeshwar temple and who built it?

What is the custom of showing the sheet from a distance?
Every year in Nashik district, a procession is organized during the death anniversary in honor of saints of other religions. Talking to a private channel, the organizer of the procession Matin Sayyed said that he has been showing chadar to Lord Shiva on the day of the procession for years. He never goes inside the temple. He also claimed that the four people who have been arrested. He did not try to offer a sheet on the Shivling. He only carried the chadar to the steps of the temple. On the other hand, according to Avez Kokani, former President of Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council, the practice of showing smoke from the stairs of the temple is being followed every generation from generation to generation. He said that the Hindu community has never opposed the practice which has been going on for decades. Whereas on this issue, the temple’s trustee Pankaj Bhootra says that he keeps a record of everything and there is no mention of such practice in his temple’s records.

Aurangzeb attacked Trimbakeshwar temple
In 1690, Aurangzeb, the sixth ruler of the Mughal Empire, broke the Shivling inside the Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik. Apart from damaging the temple, the dome of the mosque was also built over the temple. Not only this, Aurangzeb had also changed the name of Nashik, but in 1751 the Marathas again captured Nashik. After that this temple was rebuilt. This incident is mentioned in the book History of Aurangzeb by historian Jadunath Sarkar.

When was the Trimbakeshwar temple renovated?
The Peshwas are credited for the restoration of this temple after Aurangzeb’s attack. Balaji (Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa), known as the third Peshwa, built it between 1755 and 1786. However, according to mythological beliefs, it is also said that the crown over the linga made of gold and precious stones was installed by the Pandavas of Mahabharata. It is also said that this temple was being renovated in the seventeenth century. At that time, 16 lakh rupees were spent in this work. Apart from this, Trimbak area is also known as Tapobhoomi of Gautam Rishi.