Ahmedabad, June 3: Non-Hindus will require prior permission to visit the Somnath temple in Gujarat, the management has said, citing "security issues' and similar curbs at the sacred places of other religions.

"The decision has been taken for security reasons, to maintain the sanctity of the place and to enable Hindu devotees to have smooth darshan," said P. K. Lahiri, secretary of the Somnath Trust that runs the Shiva temple from where L.K. Advani started his 1990 rath yatra.

The Somnath trust is headed by former chief minister Keshubhai Patel. Prime minister Narendra Modi and Advani are among its other members.

Lahiri, a former IAS officer who retired as state chief secretary, justified the decision. "This is also the practice at the Dwarka temple (to Krishna)." In the east, Puri's Jagannath temple has similar restrictions.

"Shree Somnath Jyotirling is a pilgrimage for Hindus. Non-Hindus will have to obtain permission from the (temple) general manager's office to enter," reads a notice put up at the main entrance two days ago. The sea-front temple draws around 7,000 people daily.

Lahiri claimed there was an "incident" recently when some "visibly non-Hindu" visitors had "some issues with security personnel", who did know how to handle the situation. Sources spoke of a "scuffle".

"Normally, such people visit for other reasons. They may have archaeological interests but they do not come for puja or darshan. We don't want to bar them but we do want to put a system to regulate visitors to maintain tradition and sanctity," said Lahiri.

Non-Hindus will have to register at the trust's office and get entry passes, and will be allowed in "when there is no rush," Lahiri added.

The secretary argued that "we have not done anything new, only carried forward a tradition", and pointed out that other religions did not allow non-followers to enter their sacred places. "If you go to Parsi Agiyari (Parsi fire temples), their notice board says non-Parsis are not allowed. Can you enter Mecca city? Every religion has its right to regulate," PTI quoted Lahiri as saying.

Asked what action could be taken against "violations" at Somnath, Lahiri said: "It will be trespass, criminal trespass."

Asked if any non-Hindus had sought permission since the notice was put up, temple deputy manager Vijaysinh Chavda said: "None so far."