Harsh Goenka questions VIP darshan at temples

Industrialist Harsh Goenka has expressed concern over the trend of turning temple visits into promotional events, with photographers and social media influencers following devotees. In a post on X, Goenka labeled this "nauseating" and questioned why devotees should receive VIP treatment at places like Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja.

"Why VIP darshan at Lalbaugcha Raja?" Goenka wrote, emphasizing that he always believed "before God, the billionaire, the celebrity and the ordinary devotee were all equal". He asked, "Shouldn't everyone stand in the same queue?"

The comments come amid debates about the experiences of ordinary devotees at Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganeshotsav. Viral videos have shown large crowds and rushed darshan, raising questions about preferential treatment for prominent visitors. However, the Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal does not issue VIP passes or charge for darshan, offering free Mukh Darshan and Charan Sparsh Darshan.

This debate is not new, as Goenka had previously questioned VIP darshan in 2024, pointing to long queues and crowds while asking if faith should not be equal for everyone. During this year's Ganeshotsav, the issue resurfaced, with devotees waiting for hours while videos of prominent visitors circulated online. Goenka's main concern seems to be maintaining the worship experience separate from status and publicity, treating all as devotees within a place of worship.