The Pashchim Maharashtra Deosthan Samiti, a committee managing temples in western Maharashtra, permitting a shop facing the Garud Mandap at the temple has sparked off the fresh protests. Several devotees have expressed their resentment against the decision.

A meeting of devotees on Thursday appealed to the authorities concerned to remove all the encroachments around the temple. The meeting was presided over by former Samiti member B R Patil.

The meeting resolved to undertake a public awareness drive to free the temple campus from encroachments.

Thousands of devotees daily visit the famous Mahalaxmi temple. However the increasing encroachments are causing inconvenience to the temple, besides disturbing the spiritual atmosphere. A few months ago, a telephone booth was opened on the southern side of the Garud Mandap. The local Shiv Sena unit had launched an agitation against the opening of the telephone booth. However the agitation was withdrawn. A few days ago, a toy shop was also opened on the northern side of the temple.