Kashi Vishwanath Temple In Varanasi Archives - Lokmarg

Ram Mandir Construction In Full Speed: Modi In Ujjain

By LokMarg 11th October 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, whose foundation stone was laid in August 2020, is being built at full speed.

The darshan of Ram Lalla for devotees is likely to be open by December 2023, and the construction work of the Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre, other utilities and infrastructure services in the complex is at a fast pace.
As per the present estimate, the total construction cost of the temple and complex will be approximately Rs 1800 crore.

“The construction of the grand Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya is going on at full speed. Vishwanath Dham in Kashi is adding pride to India’s culture. Record development happening at Somnath, Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines,” said PM Modi at the inauguration of Shri Mahakal Lok in Ujjain.

On August 5, 2020, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram temple and since then the construction work of the temple is going on.

The foundation stone for the construction of Ram Temple’s ‘Garbha Griha’ or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was laid by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in June this year.

The five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi (now retired) had on November 9, 2019, unanimously delivered its verdict that the land in Ayodhya where Babri Masjid once stood, belongs to Ram Lalla.

At the inauguration of Shri Mahakal Lok in Ujjain, the Prime Minister said that the glory of Mahakaleshwar was restored.

“We are restoring the glory of spiritual places. Ujjain has been the centre of India’s spiritual ethos. Ujjain is not just India’s geographic centre but also the centre of the country’s soul. There is nothing ordinary in the company of Lord Shiva. Everything is supernatural and extraordinary. Unforgettable, unbelievable,” he said.

Noting that the grandeur of Mahalkal Lok is unparalleled and will add impetus to the global cultural significance of the country, PM Modi said the development of Jyotirlingas is powering India’s spiritual consciousness.

“The grandeur of Mahalkal Lok is unparalleled and this will add impetus to the global cultural significance of the country,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Ujjain has led prosperity and knowledge in India for thousands of years.

“Spirituality is contained in every particle and divine energy is being transmitted in every corner of Ujjain. Ujjain has led India’s prosperity, knowledge, dignity and literature for thousands of years,” said PM Modi at the inauguration of Shri Mahakal Lok in Ujjain.

PM Modi dedicated Shri Mahakal Lok in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain to the nation. The total cost of Phase I of the project is around Rs 850 crore.

PM said that the grandeur of Mahalkal Lok is unparalleled and this will add impetus to the global cultural significance of the country adding that Several centres of spirituality are now being renovated.

“During the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal, we broke the shackles of colonialism with the spirit of Panch Pran. Today, cultural destinations across India are seeing all-around development. For the first time, Char Dham is being connected with all-weather roads,” he said.

The Prime minister said the first time since Independence, roads are developed and an ‘All-weather highway development project’ is undertaken to connect all four Dhams under the Char Dham Project.

“The magnificence of our olden Konark temple, Modhera temple, Brahma Deveshwar temple, and Shankaracharya temple is unmatchable,” he said.

He said that for India, Dharm means completion of Duties and our duties are service to the world, service to humanity. (ANI)

Varanasi Court Upholds Maintainability Of Hindu Side’s Petition

By LokMarg 12th September 2022

A Varanasi Court on Monday dismissed a plea of Anjuman Islamia Masjid committee challenging the maintainability of the suit filed by five Hindu women seeking worshipping rights in the Gyanvapi mosque compound.

District Judge AK Vishvesh delivered the verdict in the Gyanvapi Shrinagar Gauri dispute case and posted the matter to further hearing on September 22.
“The court rejected the Muslim side’s petition and said the suit is maintainable. The next hearing of the case is on September 22,” said Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case.

“It’s a win for the Hindu community. The next hearing is on Sep 22. It’s a foundation stone for the Gyanvapi temple. Appeal to people to maintain peace,” said Sohan Lal Arya, petitioner in the Gyanvapi case.

Earlier, the Hindu side had said that they will seek for Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey and carbon dating of ‘Shivling’ if the judgment comes in their favour.

Speaking to ANI, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side said, “Today the court will deliver its judgment on the maintainability of the suit. 1991 Worship Act applies in our favour. If judgment comes in our favour, then we will seek for ASI survey, carbon dating of Shivling.”

Another lawyer, representing the Hindu side, Sohan Lal Arya said that the verdict will prove to be the first day of planting the foundation stone of Kashi Vishwanath.

“Moreover, this day is going to be a very happy day for the Hindu community of the world. Court will give its verdict from 2:00 pm and we have offered prayers for the ‘darshan’ of Lord Shiva in the morning. After the verdict, we will have ‘darshan’. After the verdict comes in our favour, the people of Kashi celebrate by ringing bells and clapping. The people of Kashi will work to awaken the Hindu society,” said Sohan Lal Arya.

The petition was filed by five women seeking permission for daily worship of Hindu deities whose idols are said to be located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque, which is located close to Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Following this, a Varanasi court ordered the survey of the mosque complex. Following this, a local Varanasi court ordered a videography survey of the complex in May. The survey work was completed on May 16 and the report was presented in the court on May 19.

After the videography survey claims were made by the Hindu side that a structure, resembling a Shivling was found in the mosque complex but the Masjid committee contested that it was a fountain and not a Shivling.

“Several sculptures of gods and goddesses alongwith other structures related to Hindu belief were seen in the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi,” said advocate Ajay Kumar Mishra, who was appointed commissioner by Varanasi court to survey the Gyanvapi-Gauri Shringar complex but was later removed for leaking the information.

The report by Mishra also mentioned that the three-four sculptures with Sindoor marks and ‘Choukhat’ like stone slab are believed to be ‘Sringar Gouri’.

However, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has said the Gyanvapi mosque is a Waqf property and has questioned the maintainability of the plea.

Madan Mohan Yadav, a lawyer of the Hindu side, had claimed that the mosque was constructed after demolishing the temple.

According to the petitioners, a self-styled Jyotirling of Lord Vishwanath in Kashi is in the mosque complex.

The petitioner also claimed that in 1669, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had destroyed a portion of the Kashi Vishwanath temple and had built the Gyanvapi Mosque.

The petitioner wants the court to declare that Muslims have no right to occupy the Gyanvapi mosque and their entry to be banned.

Meanwhile, the defence lawyer said that there was no temple in the Gyanvapi complex and the mosque is standing on the site from the beginning.

Notably, the Supreme Court on July 21 said that it will await the Varanasi district judge’s decision on the Gyanvapi mosque committee’s application.

The SC bench then posted the matter for further hearing in the first week of October after the outcome of the proceedings before the district judge.

The Supreme Court on May 20 transferred the case from a civil judge (senior division) to a district judge, saying considering the “complexities and sensitivity” of the issue, it is better if a senior judicial officer having an experience of over 25-30 years handles this case.

The bench also said that no manner of restriction should be imposed on Muslims entering the mosque to offer namaz or religious observances.

The top court had made the observation that the process to ascertain the religious character of a place of worship is not barred under the Places of Worship Act of 1991.

SC judgement came after the commission appointed by a district court to conduct a video surgery of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex submitted its report on May 19.

The top court had ordered that its interim order passed on May 17 — to protect the area where the Shivling was found and access to Muslims for namaz — shall continue in operation till the maintainability of the suit is decided and thereafter for eight weeks to enable parties to pursue legal remedies.

It had said that District Judge should decide the maintainability of the civil suit in the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath on priority as sought by Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi.

The matter had reached the Supreme Court on a petition filed by the Mosque Management Committee, which challenged the civil judge’s order of filming inside the mosque.

The order permitted inspection, survey, and videography of the mosque’s complex to collect evidence about the alleged existence of idols of Hindu deities inside the mosque, which is adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The petitioners said the filming goes against the Places of Worship Act of 1991, which maintains the religious status of any place of worship as of August 15, 1947.

However, after the survey, the lawyers representing the Hindu side claimed that a shivling was found at the mosque premises. They filed an application for the protection of the shivling, whereupon the civil judge directed the district magistrate, Varanasi, to seal the area where the shivling was sighted. It also directed the deployment of the CRPF to protect the sealed area and prohibited people from entering it. (ANI)

Gyanvapi Case: Varanasi Court To Pronounce Verdict Today, Sec 144 Imposed

By LokMarg 12th September 2022

Varanasi district court will pronounce the verdict in the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case on Monday.

District Judge AK Vishvesh had last month reserved the order till September 12 in the matter.
The decision relates to the maintainability of Hindu women’s plea seeking permission to worship Hindu deities in the Gyanvapi Mosque complex.

Security has been tightened and prohibitory orders (Section 144) have been imposed in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Sunday a day ahead of the district court order.

The police have deployed forces in areas where a mixed population resides in the city and patrolling is ongoing to ensure no law and order situation arises on the maintainability of a plea by five Hindu women seeking permission to worship the Shringar Gauri Sthal within the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Masjid complex.

“A Varanasi court may pronounce judgment on a crucial matter. Section 144 was implemented in the city. Police force posted in areas where the mixed population resides. Patrolling is on. We are trying our best that no law and order situation arises,” said Police Commissioner, A Satish Ganesh.

The petition was filed by five Hindu women seeking permission to worship the Shringar Gauri Sthal within the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Masjid complex.

Following this, a local Varanasi court ordered a videography survey of the complex in May. The survey work was completed on May 16 and the report was presented in the court on May 19.

After the videography survey claims were made by the Hindu side that a structure, resembling a Shivling was found in the mosque complex. The Masjid committee contested that it was a fountain and not a Shivling.

The bench also said that no manner of restriction should be imposed on Muslims entering the mosque to offer namaz or religious observances.

It had ordered that its interim order passed on May 17 — to protect the area where the Shivling was found and access to Muslims for namaz — shall continue in operation till maintainability of the suit is decided and thereafter for eight weeks to enable parties to pursue legal remedies.

The matter had reached the Supreme Court on a petition filed by the Mosque Management Committee, which challenged the civil judge’s orders.

They filed an application for the protection of the shivling, whereupon the civil judge directed the district magistrate, Varanasi, to seal the area where the shivling was sighted. It also directed the deployment of the CRPF to protect the sealed area and prohibited people from entering it. (ANI)

‘No Communal Discord in Kashi, But Truth Must Come Out’

By LokMarg 20th May 2022

Dinesh Dubey, a mahant in Varanasi, says pushing the truth in the Gyanvapi mosque case under the carpet may have adverse impact in the long run

I have been serving Ma Ganga since childhood on the Ghats of Varanasi and also the devotees who come to pray at the temples of this sacred Hindu city. Kashi residents are spiritual and charitable. And you cannot find even the slightest discrimination or ill-will among Hindus and Muslims here.

As far as the Gyanvapi mosque issue is there, even a young child here knows that it is a 350 year old structure built after razing down parts of the Vishweshwar temple devoted to Lord Shiva. But this has not spoiled the togetherness of its people. It was only recently that a survey by archaeologists was conducted in the mosque and we hear that some Hindu relics and a Shivling have been discovered there.

The matter is subjudice, so it is not upon me to tell you what to do. But the common sense says that if an object of value is found somewhere, it must be returned to its rightful owner. Therefore, if Hindu relics are found in a mosque, these should be given to Hindus. Where is the role of Court-Kachehari in this?

Many Hindu holy structures were brought down in our chequered history. Now, if there is archaeological evidence that a structure belongs to Hindus, there is no harm in reclaiming it. This happened in Ayodhya, although at the intervention of Supreme Court.

ALSO READ: Varanasi An Icon Of Harmony, Don’t Destroy Over A Shivling

Hindus and Muslims of Varanasi are tolerant and peace-loving people. However, of late a misconception is being spread that something unpleasant is going to happen in Varanasi. The media also has a major role in spoiling the harmony. Special episodes are being run on TV channels that have created an atmosphere of fear.

If you try to hide the truth, it will naturally give grist to the rumour mill. That is why I feel allow the truth about religious relics found in the mosque be brought into public domain. Brushing the truth under the carpet will only create distrust among the Kashi residents.

About 600 meters of the Gyanvapi mosque site, which has other temples also, has been cordoned off. This barricading has affected the footfalls of visitors in Varanasi. Devotees from south India usually throng Kashi in summer months every year. However, the numbers have gone down visibly. People are asking among each other anxiously when things will be ‘normal’.

We, locals, do not want any kind of dispute. We have been living in harmony for centuries and pray to Lord Siva. Let truth prevail and let everyone live a peaceful life and witness the development of Bharatvarsha!

As told to Rajat Rai

‘Varanasi An Icon Of Harmony, Don’t Destroy It Over A Shivling’

By LokMarg 17th May 2022

Suresh K Nair, an Asst Professor at Banaras Hindu University, tells LokMarg that Gyanvapi Mosque controversy is a non-issue raked up by vested interests

Ever since I have been teaching in this great city of Varanasi, I have found that this is indeed a peaceful and beautiful place. People are living here in great harmony and across all caste and communities. You can feel the harmony and vibrations on the streets and gullies of this ancient city where so many currents have passed by, leaving their mark.

I believe that all religions are meant to promote peace, humanism and harmony. And Varanasi is an epitome of this universal spiritual principle. This Gyanvapi Mosque controversy which certain vested interests have yet again raked up for reasons which are too brazenly transparent, is a non-issue – period.

Varanasi transcends these petty non-issues with its great history of secular pluralism and aesthetic ethos. People here are essentially broad-minded. The harmony that seems to be missing now, is a jarring. No government before this has promoted this kind of social disharmony – no government.

***Nair (inset) calls Varanasi an Open Museum of pluralism and heritage***

In the first instance, the government must not engage in any religious activity whatsoever. If it does so, then it should fund and restore the architectural and artistic heritage across the religious kaleidoscope – it can be a temple, a mosque or a monastery. If the government supports temples, then it should support masjids and churches too. Why only promote and protect Hindu temples?

ALSO READ: ‘Religious Gurus Must Foster Harmony, Not Discord’

Varanasi is an Open Museum. It is a real art gallery of global importance with its magical, archival memories, narratives, folk and oral traditions, art and architecture, music, poetry, literature and song. And why only its temples and mosques, its lanes, by-lanes, ghats and public spaces, they are all precious heritage sites, and they should all be preserved.

Now, if they are fiddling with the lanes, by-lanes and the geographical inheritance of this wonderful city, then it is ethically wrong – you just cannot and should not tamper with the original template of the city which has evolved over the centuries. The gullies and ghats are the original geographical zones of inherited cultural harmony and artistic traditions. It is outright wrong to play with this established essence.

Back home in Kerala, I once did a project on a Namboodiri Brahmin who was so progressive that he backed the Muslims. The British did not like it. And, yet, he continued this progressive tradition. Religions should stand for peace.

In any case, human lives are ephemeral. All governments are ephemeral. The power too is ephemeral. Even the great Ganga changes its routes and finds new geographies. As a creative and visual artist, and as a teacher, I firmly believe that rigidity will just not work. In this city of Bismillah Khan’s brilliance, let the incredible and magical harmony of cultural brilliance prevail. The river teaches us exactly that.

As told to Amit Sengupta