Earlier this week on Monday, a centuries-old Shiv temple located in Muslim dominated area was revived with the efforts of Hindu groups in Varanasi. As per Indian Express report, the centuries old Shiv temple, known as Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple, was discovered last year on 19th November in a predominantly Muslim-dominated Madanpura locality when activists of the Hindu outfit, Sanatan Raksha Dal, alerted the authorities. The Hindu activists acted promptly after a picture showing the padlocked gate of the temple started doing rounds on social media.
According to the group, the temple had been closed for around 70 years, and they requested the district administration permit the reopening for worship and prayers.
The district administration initially withheld permission, citing the need for verification of government records related to the land.
According to Additional District Magistrate (Varanasi) Alok Verma, the land on which the temple stands is government property. The lock has now been opened.
The restoration process revealed three damaged Shiva lingams and a large amount of accumulated debris and soil inside the temple. The temple’s reopening involved the use of a gas cutter to remove the lock, and efforts were made to clear debris carefully to preserve any potential artifacts.
Security measures were put in place, including police personnel, drone surveillance, and rooftop monitoring.
The restoration of the Siddheshwar Mahadev temple is expected to continue after the conclusion of the Hindu month of Kharmas, with plans for a reinstallation ceremony for the damaged Shiva lingams. Ajay Sharma, state president of the Sanatan Raksha Dal, said: “It could not have opened without the collective efforts of people here. In a way, it is the victory of a community, of a people, over the forces trying to erase historical and religious roots.”.
The reopening of the temple is part of a larger trend of reclamation of the Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh. This is the sixth Hindu temple to have been reopened in recent months, with 2 each in Sambhal, Firozabad, and one in Moradabad. It was a great moment for the Hindus in the city since the administration arranged all the proper planning and security measures to get it reopened.
