The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has allowed the resumption of flower and garland offerings at the Shri Saibaba Sansthan in Shirdi. The ritual had been suspended for over three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and concerns regarding cleanliness and waste management. The decision comes after petitions were filed by the temple’s ad-hoc committee and flower vendors seeking permission to restart the practice.
The Court reviewed the petitions and determined that the resumption of offerings would be appropriate, provided an effective strategy for waste disposal is implemented. It was directed that the ad-hoc committee expedite decisions on managing the floral waste generated by the practice to ensure it aligns with health and cleanliness standards.
Flower offerings were halted in 2020 as a precautionary measure during the pandemic. The temple’s management had also faced scrutiny following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2021, which raised concerns about governance. In September 2022, the Court directed the State government to establish a new managing committee. Until then, the temple has been managed by an ad-hoc committee comprising the Principal District Judge, the Collector, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Sansthan.
The Sansthan’s advocate, Anil Bajaj, highlighted that the decision was made after consultations with stakeholders, including devotees and flower farmers. Plans have been outlined to source flowers through a credit co-operative society run by temple employees, ensuring fair pricing within the premises. Bajaj also noted that an earlier collaboration with a self-help group, which converted discarded flowers into incense sticks, is being considered for revival to address waste management challenges. However, it was acknowledged that a formal waste disposal plan has yet to be finalized.
Objections were raised by advocate PS Talekar, representing an intervenor, who argued that the resumption could lead to harassment of devotees and the resurgence of unauthorized flower vendors. Concerns regarding cleanliness and potential exploitation by illegal vendors were also expressed by the State’s advocate, AB Girase. Despite these concerns, the Court has prioritized the resumption of offerings, emphasizing the need for swift action by the ad-hoc committee to address waste management issues. The decision aims to restore the long-standing tradition while ensuring it is carried out responsibly and sustainably.
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