A Shiva temple located in a Muslim-dominated area in Varanasi was reopened after the Sanatan Rakasha Dal claimed that the shrine was locked for over 100 years. The Siddheshwar Mahadev temple was reopened on Monday in the presence of the district administration officials, other Hindu organisations and locals.
Regular worship will start in the temple after January 14 after consultation with Kashi Vidvat Parishad, Annapurna Temple and other religious leaders.
The Sanatan Rakshak Dal claimed ownership of the site and sought permission for its reopening and religious rituals last month. Three damaged Shiva lingams were found, along with large amounts of debris and soil, Indian Today reported.
As per the report, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kashi Gaurav Banswal said the temple had been locked for over 100 years. Debris was being cleared to preserve any artefacts that might be found.
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Additional District Magistrate Alok Verma said there was no opposition to the reopening of the temple. All residents of the area cooperated and the temple’s cleaning revealed over two feet of accumulated soil. Verma added that a decision on worship rituals would be taken soon.
Recently, the administration in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal reopened the Bhasma Shankar temple locked since 1978 following communal riots in the town. The temple houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.
The temple had been closed for decades and the local residents confirmed it had been locked since 1978, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra had said.
The temple is just over a kilometre away from the Mughal-era Jama Masjid, where violence broke out during a court-monitored survey in November. Four people were killed and several others, including police personnel, were injured in the violence.
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