PONDA
On Tuesday morning, one group had made all the arrangements to perform the puja to mark the annual celebration, while the other group of Gaonkars, who claims to have registered their trust, opposed the move by restraining the former from entering the Sanctum Sanctorum.
The group, which was opposed by the Gaonkars, claim that May 23 is the day when the deity’s idol was reinstalled, while the Gaonkars said the annual celebration should take place in July.
Deputy Collector Navnath Naik, Joint Mamlatdar Apurva Karpe (appointed as executive magistrate) and DySP Sunita Sawant were present at the site.
The officials informed that later in the evening, the beleaguered group was permitted to perform the puja, but not in the Sanctum Sanctorum. “They performed it in the hall outside the Sanctum Sanctorum,” an officer said.
As the panchayat elections nomination process was going on, Mamlatdar and Administrator of temples Joao Fernandes could not visit the site. However, DySP Sunita Sawant was summoned at the site, who persuaded the Gaonkars’ group and then the rituals could take place.
