Kanpur’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mayor, Pramila Pandey, has launched a decisive campaign to reclaim and restore over 125 ancient Hindu Mandir that have been lost to neglect, encroachment, and misuse in Muslim-dominated areas of the city.
According to Mayor Pandey, these Mandirs, which once stood as cornerstones of faith and community life, have been largely abandoned or repurposed over the years. From makeshift kitchens to garbage dumps, these sacred spaces have suffered shocking neglect. “Two and a half years ago, we rediscovered these Mandirs in Muslim-majority areas. Today, we are determined to restore them for daily worship,” declared Pandey.
Among the rediscovered sites, the Ram Janki Mandir at Dr Berry Chauraha stands out as a poignant example. Once a grand structure spanning 2,400 square yards, the Mandir has been reduced to ruins, allegedly taken over by Mukhtar Baba, an accused figure in the Kanpur violence. Reports suggest the premises were used to cook biryani, further underscoring the disregard for its religious sanctity.
The Mayor’s efforts have involved ground inspections carried out under tight security, with police forces from seven stations accompanying her team. Donning a helmet to symbolise her readiness for challenges, Pandey personally surveyed Mandir sites, assessed the extent of encroachments, and instructed authorities to prioritise immediate action.
In the Bekanganj area, three neglected Mandirs were reclaimed peacefully with the cooperation of local residents, including members of the Muslim community. The restored Mandirs, once left in ruins and stripped of their idols, are now set to reopen for worship.
Other reclaimed sites paint a grim picture of historical neglect:
Ram Janki Mandir: Declared as enemy property, the Mandir’s remains are on the verge of collapse. Only fragments of its original structure exist, overshadowed by encroachments.
Radha-Krishna Mandir: Sealed and surrounded by shops, the Mandir’s back portion has been occupied by a family, erasing its religious identity.
Shiva Mandirs in Colonelganj: Two Shiva Mandirs in this area have been neglected for decades. One has become a garbage dump, while the other is barely discernible amidst commercial encroachments.
Approximately 500 meters from the first Shiva Mandir in Colonelganj stands another neglected shrine dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. Built nearly a century ago with Lahori bricks, this mandir serves as a somber testament to Kanpur’s dwindling cultural and religious heritage. Once a vibrant center of devotion, it is now overshadowed by surrounding shops, rendering its presence nearly invisible amidst the bustling commercial landscape.
Encroachment has overtaken both the front and back sections of the mandir, with residential spaces now established in these areas. Although faint traces of a Shivling remain, the Shivling itself is completely missing, effectively erasing the mandir’s original spiritual significance.
Pandey issued a stern warning to encroachers, emphasising that sacred spaces would be reclaimed at all costs. “Encroachments will not be tolerated. Daily worship will resume in these Mandirs. If needed, bulldozers will be used to restore them,” she stated, underscoring her unwavering commitment to reclaiming the city’s heritage.
Pandey also brought attention to the demographic transformation of areas like Bekanganj. Once known as “Sunar Wali Gali” and predominantly inhabited by the Agarwal community, these localities were vibrant centers of Hindu culture before 1930. Over time, Hindu families migrated, and the area transitioned into a Muslim-majority locality. This shift, according to Pandey, contributed to the neglect and encroachment of these Mandirs.
Despite the sensitivity of the issue, Pandey emphasised the need for harmony and inclusivity. “While there is no objection to people living here, the Mandirs will be restored for daily prayers. These spaces represent our shared heritage and must be preserved,” she said.
The reclamation campaign has garnered support from local authorities, including Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Rajesh Srivastava, who confirmed that Mandir clean-ups were conducted peacefully with the active involvement of residents. “This is a coordinated effort to restore Kanpur’s heritage while maintaining peace and cooperation among communities,” he remarked.
In recent efforts to reclaim lost mandirs, several significant sites in Sambhal have been rediscovered, including the Shri Kartik Mahadev Mandir. Once abandoned and locked since 1978, the mandir was unearthed during an anti-encroachment drive, revealing damaged murtis and a Shivling. Alongside this, the ASI has surveyed other historical sites in the area, including five teerths and 19 wells, marking a renewed push to restore the region’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
