The Siddheshwar Mahadev Mandir, located in a Muslim-majority area of Varanasi, was reopened after being locked for over a century, according to the Sanatan Raksha Dal. The reopening ceremony was attended by district administration officials, representatives from various Hindu organisations, and local residents. Regular worship at the Mandir will commence after January 14, following consultations with the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, Annapurna Mandir, and other pandits.
The Sanatan Raksha Dal asserted ownership of the site and requested permission to reopen it and perform religious rituals last month. According to the reports, three damaged Shiv lingams were discovered, along with significant amounts of debris and soil.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kashi, Gaurav Banswal, stated that the Mandir had remained locked for over a century. He added that the debris was being cleared to ensure the preservation of any potential artefacts that may be discovered.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kashi, Gaurav Banswal, stated that the Mandir had remained locked for over a century. He added that the debris was being cleared to ensure the preservation of any potential artefacts that may be discovered.
Additional District Magistrate Alok Verma stated that there was no opposition to the Mandir’s reopening. He noted that the local residents fully cooperated, and the cleaning process uncovered more than two feet of accumulated soil. Verma also mentioned that a decision regarding the Mandir’s worship rituals would be made soon.
Recently, the Uttar Pradesh administration reopened the Bhasma Shankar Mandir in Sambhal, which had been locked since 1978 due to communal riots in the town.
The Mandir had remained closed for decades, with local residents confirming it had been locked since 1978, according to Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra.
Located just over a kilometre from the Mughal-era Jama Masjid, the Mandir area was near where violence erupted during a court-monitored survey in November. The unrest led to the deaths of four individuals and left several others, including police personnel, injured.
