Parvati Khan admits she performed 'abhishek'

Pop singer Parvati Khan on Friday admitted she performed an abhishek at the temple in Varanasi during Mahashivratri despite an earlier ban on her doing it.

Recent reports that Khan had offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple triggered protests from the Shiv Sena, which said the singer had hurt Hindu sentiments.

"I completed the prescribed 1.5 lakh chants during my stay. The chants and prayers were said from a place near the temple complex. Later, concealing my identity, I managed to enter the temple on March 15 at 0400 IST and perform the abhishek," she said.

The temple management in the past had not granted permission to the singer to perform any ritual due to opposition from Shiv Sainiks.

Khan said, "I personally have nothing against any individual or any group opposing my efforts, but I am just deeply saddened by their mental sickness, the ignorant mindset and the injury they inflict upon mankind."