Ujjain: 20 devotees who had arrived in the city from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh were duped of Rs 42, 000 in the name of Bhasmaarti.
A priest duped 20 devotees while recovering cash of Rs 42, 000 promising them to avail Bhasmaarti passes to enter into Mahakaleshwar Temple, on Wednesday.
Sources informed that a group of devotees had arrived in the city on July 29, 2014 to pay visit to Lord Mahakal. The devotees did not have passes to join Bhasmaarti passes and eventually they met someone who gave them contact number of a priest Pt Mishra. Devotees called the priest and asked him for Bhasmaarti passes. Pt Mishra demanded Rs 1500 per head for Bhasmaarti and Rs 600 per head for worship in the temple.
Devotees agreed to the priest’s demand and gave him Rs 42, 000 for passes and worship. Devotees were stayed at a city hotel where the priest collected the money and IDs of devotees for Bhasmaarti passes. The priest also provided them 20 dhotis and 20 urns to join Bhasmaarti on Thursday morning. One of the devotees Krishna Rao informed that they reached at the temple at 12.30 am, but they did not find the priest to whom they had given money. The priest sent a person who made their entry into the temple.
The devotees latter got to know that there is no provision of charge to attend Bhasmaarti. They made a written complaint to Temple Administrator.
Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee administrator Jayant Joshi told that strict action will be taken against accused as he did not receive the complaint till then.
