In a landmark verdict, the Gujarat High Court has ruled that the special right to perform Ashtami puja at the Ambaji temple will no longer be confined to the Danta Maharaja and his descendants.
The court clarified that ordinary devotees will also be allowed to perform the puja, a decision being viewed as one of the most significant rulings related to the temple since its establishment.
This is not the first time the Ambaji temple has come under scrutiny over issues of public access. In 2024, the Gujarat Congress accused temple manager Pravin Goswami of favouritism and misconduct, alleging that certain acquaintances were allowed to bypass queues for darshan while thousands of devotees waited in line.
“These practices have not only caused dissatisfaction among devotees but have also raised serious questions about the administration of religious institutions,” Congress spokesperson Hemang Raval had said at the time.
Raval also claimed there were multiple complaints against Goswami regarding his behaviour towards Brahmins visiting the temple for pooja rituals, alleging the use of derogatory language.
He further stated that local residents had earlier lodged complaints with the Banaskantha district collector alleging favouritism, but these grievances were allegedly ignored.