Ujjain 19 October: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's MP son Shrikant Shinde has courted controversy after he was allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain despite a ban, prompting the authorities to order a probe. Shinde, who represents Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra's Thane district, entered the 'garbha griha' (sanctum sanctorum) along with his wife and two others to worship the deity on Thursday evening, temple sources said.

A controversy erupted after a video of the incident went viral as entry of devotees into the sanctum sanctorum has been banned for nearly a year now, they said. The opposition Congress took strong objection to the incident, saying VIPs were allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum despite a ban while common citizens have to wait in queues for hours for 'darshan' of the deity. "They have an allergy even if we go to the temple. They don't take darshan and stop others from doing so," Shinde told reporters in Mumbai. Ujjain: Birthday Celebration Inside Mahakaleshwar Temple Premises Causes Stir, 10 Employees Suspended After Video Goes Viral.

Expressing displeasure over the episode, Congress MLA Mahesh Parmar on Friday said, "While a common devotee has to stand in long queues and wait for hours for the darshan of Lord Mahakaleshwar, the VIPs were allowed to enter the garbha griha despite a ban on entering it." "This is against rules and we strongly oppose it," he told reporters.

Chairman of the temple committee and Ujjain district collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said, "Nobody is allowed to enter the garbha griha. This (Shinde's) is an unauthorised entry and I have directed the temple administrator to take immediate action in this matter." Administrator of the temple, Ganesh Dhakad, said a probe has been ordered and action will be taken against the inspector responsible for overseeing entry and other aspects of the sanctum sanctorum and others in this matter. Ujjain Mahakal Temple Wall Collapse: Several Injured as Heavy Rain Causes Structure to Fall, Rescue Operations in Progress (Watch Video).

Shrikant Shinde Enters Ujjain Mahakal Temple's Despite Ban

The Mahakaleshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 'jyotirlinga' temples in the country and attracts a large number of devotees throughout the year.