Pandharpur: Chemical coating on Vitthal-Rukmini idols to hit darshan Sept 23-25
ASI will apply protective chemical coating on the Vitthal-Rukmini idols after a Bombay High Court bench cleared the way, temple officials said.
Devotees planning a visit to Pandharpur should take note. The date for the chemical coating process on the Vitthal-Rukmini idols at Shri Kshetra Pandharpur has now been finalised. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will carry out the work between September 23 and 25. The temple committee's executive officer, Shrikant Yadav, gave the official information himself.
The work had been stalled for the last three months after some devotees filed a petition in court against the coating process. The Kolhapur bench of the Bombay High Court has now given the process the go-ahead. The ASI will begin work as soon as the Shejarati ritual is completed on September 22.
The reason for the erosion of the idols is also worth understanding. Around 2.5 to 3 crore devotees visit Pandharpur every year to touch and take darshan of Vithuraya's feet. The stone of the idol has worn down considerably due to the touch of so many devotees, the daily abhishek ritual, and changes in weather and humidity. Currently there is a hollow in the foot of the Vitthal idol and the feet are completely worn out. There are several other spots on the idol that now urgently need coating. This coating is considered essential to stop the erosion of the stone, fill the cracks and preserve the idol for a long time.
Since the temple administration took charge, the idol was first coated in 1988. Since then, the process has had to be carried out four times. In tradition this is called vajralep, but nowadays the archaeological department uses a modern, approved chemical coating.
According to Vilas Puniraj, a retired deputy director of the ASI and a chemist, the coating mainly uses epoxy resin, stone powder and a silicon-based waterproofing material. This is the same approved method that the archaeological department uses across the country. The chemical is entirely herbal, that is, natural and authorised, so it does not damage the idol.
How many years the coating lasts depends on the touch of devotees, regular abhishek rituals and changes in weather. Based on Pandharpur's past experience, this protective layer holds up well for about 5 to 6 years. After that, when the idol erodes again, the coating process has to be carried out afresh.
Work will begin after the Shejarati ritual on September 22, and the coating process will be completed between September 23 and 25. Darshan timings will change during these days, so devotees should keep this in mind while planning their visit to Pandharpur.
