AHMEDABAD: Non-Hindus visiting Somnath temple are mandatorily required to enter personal details in a register in the interests of security and protection of the temple’s sanctity, authorities have said.
“Maintaining a register for non-Hindus is an old practice and is nothing new. People of other faiths intending to enter Somnath temple have to compulsorily enter their details in a register. We follow this rule strictly,’’ Sanjaybhai Joshi, the temple supervisor, said. He said the rule was being followed since 2015 was that non-Hindus could not enter the temple premises without prior permission.
An official of the temple trust said restrictions were slapped on non-Hindus after representations were made to regulate entry of people of other faiths.
“There are security concerns if we freely allow people of other faiths to enter the premises without knowing their identities and other details. Also, it is important that the temple’s sanctity is protected as this jyotirling is a very sacred place for the Hindus,” he said.
A notice has been put up at the main entrance that non-Hindus have to take the general manager’s permission before proceeding to register their names and other details.