Allahabad HC orders ASI survey of claimed 'Shivling' in Gyanvapi
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Prayagraj: Against the Varanasi district court's order denying pleas demanding a scientific survey, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India to run it on the structure, which Hindu petitioners claim is a "Shivling" inside the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, NDTV reported.
It was in October the Varanasi district court denied petitions seeking survey.
The court directed ASI to use a "scientific" method in surveying the structure, avoiding damage to it.
According to the mosque authorities, the structure is no "Shivling" or relic of Lord Shiva but part of a fountain in the "Wazu Khana", where people perform ablutions before Namaz.
Last year, five Hindu women approached the court for year-long access to pray at a shrine inside the mosque complex, and a court ordered a video survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The video pictured the disputed structure.
Later four of the five petitioners requested a scientific probe, including carbon dating, to establish the age of the structure they claim as "Shivling". According to their claims, there are ancient idols of Hindu gods and goddesses inside the mosque.
The Hindu god's idols are located on the outer wall of the mosque. The mosque committee questioned the maintainability of the women's request for daily worship of the idols.