The beggars, who are at most times intoxicated or drugged, are a big menace to the temple-goers owing to their aggressive mannerisms. Instances where beggars have resorted to grab the devotees from their collars while asking for money are reportedly increasing. Keeping this in view, the district administration had rounded up the beggars two days earlier to drop them off around Sanour, which is around 8 km from here. To discourage the beggars, the temple committee has even decided to refuse them langar from the temple kitchen.

In a bid to prevent liquor finding its way outside the temple, where beggars addicted to it sit waiting, and also following large-scale reports about the temple priests indulging in the resale of liquor bottles which are brought as offering to the Goddess by devotees, the temple management has decided to pour the offered liquor into a havan kund in the temple complex. The coconuts being offered will also find their way into the sacred fire burning in the havan kund.

A board has been put up inside the temple, informing devotees that liquor is not allowed beyond the sanctum housing the idol of Goddess Kali. The devotees must return to the havan kund and pour in their offering before proceeding to pay obeisance to the idol of Goddess Gauri in the temple complex. However, despite the effort, beggars had a field day today as some bacchus managed to get across even if the beggars were denied langar.

The head of the Hindu Suraksha Samiti, Mr Sanjeev Bhardwaj, said that his organisation would make sure that such incidents do not happen. “Our volunteers will be near the havan Kund on all Ashtamis and Saturdays, the days when liquor offerings overflow at the temple to ensure proper disposal of liquor”, he said, adding that this would check the boisterous attitude adopted by the beggars when high on intoxicants.

Regular devotees to the temple, though happy about the measures being taken, said the return of the beggars was inevitable. “I was sure we had not seen the last of them after they were carted away. Transporting them outside the city is a temporary measure and could last but a day or two. The only lasting solution to the harassment caused by them can be their rehabilitation through forced labour at government sites”, says devotee Dr Vishal Chopra.

Even though cleaning is being carried out on the temple premises, garbage bins were overflowing in the absence of an adequate garbage disposal system. Corners of the mandir had mounds of refuse piled up and dogs were seen scurrying around the place.