Mumbai: The State government has approved a plan at the Cabinet meeting to take over the Shani Shingnapur shrine and create a special legislation for the temple on the lines of the Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The shrine needs good facilities and management. The temple trust should report to the Law and Judiciary Department once the special law is created.”
The proposal of a special law for the Shani Shingnapur temple will be sent to the Legislative Assembly and will get final nod in the monsoon session of the State Legislature. After approval from the Assembly, a chief officer will be appointed to look into its day-to-day administration.
While the temple trust will have its own staff, the state will appoint its own chairperson, deputy chairperson and trustees. As part of the proposal — like the Siddhivinayak temple trust and the Shirdi Sai Sansthan trust – the Shani Shingnapur temple trust will have to report to the State Law and Judiciary Department.
Shingnapur is in Ahmednagar district where many pilgrims visit.The tradition and culture of the temple will be kept as it is, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
