200-Year-Old Shiva Temple Reopens in Varanasi After 70 Years

A historic Shiva temple in the Muslim-majority Madanpura area of Varanasi, believed to be around 200 years old, reopened on Wednesday for prayers and rituals. The Siddheshwar Mahadev temple had been locked for over seven decades and was rediscovered by a Hindu outfit on November 19, 2024. Following the discovery, the Sanatan Raksha Dal had requested the authorities to reopen the temple for worship.

The district administration initially sought verification of government records before granting permission. Alok Verma, the Additional District Magistrate of Varanasi, confirmed that the temple stands on government land, and the lock was removed after official clearance. He added that there was no opposition to the reopening, with local residents cooperating fully. Police forces were deployed at the site to prevent any disturbances.

Upon reopening, three damaged Shiva lingams were found inside the temple, along with significant debris and soil. The municipal corporation assisted in cleaning the premises, and restoration work is planned after the Hindu month of Kharmas ends. Ajay Sharma, the state president of Sanatan Raksha Dal, announced that a reinstallation ceremony for the Shiva lingams would be held following traditional rituals.

This marks the latest in a series of temple reopenings in the state, with six such instances in the last two months, including in Sambhal, Firozabad, and Moradabad.

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