Liquor, non-veg party at Girnar shrine leads to removal of temple workers

Several workers at the Adyashakti Maa Amba Temple at Girnar in Junagadh were suspended after a video allegedly showing people drinking liquor and eating non-vegetarian food inside the temple premises went viral on social media.

The temple is located on Girnar mountain, a major religious site in Gujarat that attracts thousands of pilgrims.

In the viral video, two to three individuals were seen drinking alcohol, eating meat and engaging in abusive arguments inside a room within the temple premises.

Following the incident, the local administration launched an inquiry at the instructions of district authorities. Preliminary findings led to the immediate suspension of several individuals who were reportedly working at the site on a temporary basis.

Officials identified the suspended persons as Kishore Singh Chauhan, Tushargiri Gauswami, Prince Thakar, Bharatgiri Dhangiri, Bhargava Chauhan, Shaileshgiri Gauswami, Dhavalgiri Gauswami, Kantigiri Aparnathi, Devagiri Gauswami, Vijaybhai Trivedi and Samiya Ram Rasoya.

Authorities said the incident had hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and was a serious violation of the sanctity of the temple.

After the incident came to light, the temple premises — particularly the area where the incident allegedly took place — was ceremonially purified according to religious rituals under the supervision of local administrative officials.

Charansinh Gohil said that complaints about illegal activities on Girnar had been received earlier as well.

“Strict action was taken soon after the video surfaced. Those involved were working temporarily under the local administrative system and have now been removed,” he said, adding that further legal action would be taken if the ongoing investigation establishes wrongdoing.