The main Shivling worshipped at the Bramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam is corroding due to continuous abhishekams
conducted for thousands of years. Regular abhishekam on the Shiva Lingam with
water and use of panchamrutham — milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey — is the
reason for the corrosion of the Shivling. Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, Srisailam Temple
The temple authorities are planning to gold plate the
Shivling to avoid future corrosion. But religious heads and Vedic pundits are
not of one opinion in the matter.
Deccan Chronicle reports
“About 1,000 liters of milk, 1,000 kg of sugar, water and other panchamrutham are used for abhishekam every day. Naturally, the granite lingam is affected,” said Chandrasekhar Azad, executive officer, Srisaila Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Devasthanam.
Mr Azad said that the proposal for the gold plating was still in its formative stage.
“We are getting diverse suggestions. Some gurus opine that there is nothing wrong in providing a gold cover to save the lingam while some are opposed to it. We are continuing consultations to find a solution,” he added.
He also pointed out that at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik the Shiva lingam was shrinking for the same reason. According to a priest, the lingam has now got smoothened.