In a significant decision restoring a cherished tradition, the Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench has approved the resumption of flower and garland offerings at the iconic Shree Saibaba Sansthan in Shirdi. This ritual, paused for over three years due to pandemic restrictions and logistical concerns, is now set to bloom again under court guidance.
The bench, comprising Justices Mangesh Patil and Shailesh Brahme, reviewed requests from the temple’s management and local flower vendors. Balancing devotion and practicality, the court permitted the offerings while urging swift action on waste disposal and related concerns.
The suspension of flower offerings in 2020 was initially a precaution against COVID-19 but later extended due to concerns over cleanliness and waste management. Devotees and flower farmers, however, voiced a longing to restore the practice, sparking legal efforts to bring the flowers back to the temple grounds.
The temple trust argued that it had crafted a plan to source flowers from a cooperative run by temple employees, ensuring quality and fair pricing for devotees. While no comprehensive waste disposal strategy is currently in place, the trust proposed reviving a previous arrangement of converting floral waste into incense sticks, combining devotion with sustainability.
Concerns were raised about the potential revival of unauthorized flower vendors and issues of harassment to devotees. The court, while aware of these risks, emphasized that the trust must act decisively to manage waste and enforce regulations to prevent exploitation.
Ultimately, the court underscored that its role was to reinstate the tradition of flower offerings rather than delve into broader administrative issues. With the ad-hoc committee in charge of the temple’s management, swift implementation of waste management and logistical solutions remains a priority to ensure this renewed practice flourishes without setbacks.
The return of flower offerings marks not only a reinstatement of devotion but also a delicate balance between tradition and modern logistical challenges at one of India’s most revered spiritual sites.
