Fundamentalist group finds temple in Muslim majority area of Varanasi
A temple has been discovered in the Muslim-majority Madanpura area of Varanasi. The temple, reportedly locked for the past decade and filled with soil, came to light after a social media post highlighted its existence. Members of a Hindu fundamentalist organisation visited the site and have called for the temple to be reopened.
The group learned about the temple through a social media post that read: "Attention: A Shiva temple lies closed in the lanes of Kashi. This temple is near house number D-31 in Madanpura." Upon visiting the location, the leader of the group found the temple locked, with soil accumulated inside. Local residents were unable to provide clear information about the temple's history or the reasons for its closure.
The group has appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to intervene and facilitate the reopening of the temple. The organisation is also seeking clarification on who locked the temple and why. In response to the situation, police arrived at the scene to maintain order and persuaded the gathered members to disperse peacefully.
Members of the fundamentalist group, who discovered the existence of the temple via a social media post, now claim that it is mentioned in the Kashi Khand, an ancient text detailing the sacred geography of Varanasi. According to the group, the temple is identified as Siddheshwar, located south of Pushpadanteshwar, with a nearby Siddhiteerth well. However, members of the group are clueless about the historical and cultural significance of the temple.
Gaurav Banswal, deputy commissioner of police for the Kashi Zone, stated that while the temple is indeed old and currently locked, no one has been able to confirm ownership or provide details about its closure. The administration plans to conduct a site inspection to ascertain the facts and determine the appropriate course of action. In the meantime, police presence has been increased in the area as a precautionary measure.
The fundamentalist organisation which claims the temple is ancient, has been active in Varanasi, notably it has been involved in campaigns to remove statues of Sai Baba from temples in Varanasi, asserting that only traditional deities should be worshipped in the city's temples.
The local administration is expected to conduct a thorough inspection of the temple to verify its historical significance and assess the situation. Further actions will be based on the findings of this inspection and directives from higher authorities.
