Ahilyabai Holkar Idol Worship Commences at Gurudham Temple in Varanasi
The Khasgi Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Charities Trust started worshipping the idol of the 18th-century queen Ahilyabai Holkar on Saturday. They moved the idol to the Gurudham temple in Varanasi. This action comes amid a heated political dispute over the alleged desecration of the queen's idol during renovation work at Manikarnika Ghat.
Renovation Work Damages Historic Platform
Workers demolished the madhi, a circular platform at Manikarnika Ghat, for the ongoing rejuvenation project. The statue of Queen Ahilyabai was carved into the wall of this platform. The demolition broke the platform into three stone pieces that contained Holkar's idols. However, the carved idols themselves remain intact.
Vishal Khanna, the assistant manager of the Holkar Trust, spoke to the media. He confirmed they began worshipping the stone plate featuring the queen's idol. Khanna stated the idols are currently kept at the Gurudham temple. The state archaeology department holds them in custody.
"We fulfilled the demand for worship," said Khanna. "Now we await the administration's decision about moving these idols to the Tarkeshwar temple for regular worship."
Trust Presents Demands to Officials
A delegation from the trust, led by President Yaswantrao Holkar, met with divisional commissioner S Rajalingam and the municipal commissioner. They handed over a letter outlining their concerns and demands.
The letter expressed strong displeasure about the demolition of the historic Manikarnika Ghat on January 10. It noted the ghat was first restored by Ahilyabai Holkar herself in 1791. The demolition occurred without any prior notice or warning. The trust and the Holkar Royal Family of Indore condemned this act as a complete disregard for the site's history.
However, the letter clarified the trust is not against redevelopment. They wholeheartedly support well-planned and sensitive development of facilities for people. The trust commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision for such development.
The trust made several key demands:
- An investigation to determine the reasons for negligence
- Accountability for the relevant people involved
- Handing over the idols to the trust
- Restoring the idols to their rightful place in the redeveloped area
Mixed Reactions from Scholars and Locals
Veteran art historian Professor Maruti Nandan Tiwari called the breaking of the madhi unfortunate. The platform contained idols of legends like Queen Ahilyabai. "However," Tiwari added, "creating a hurdle to an important project like rejuvenating the cremation ghat of Kashi should be avoided."
Scholars, the Dom Raja family, and people using the ghat for cremations supported the rejuvenation work. They want the project completed early to improve facilities.
Diwakar Shukla traveled from Palamu in Jharkhand to cremate a relative at Manikarnika Ghat. He highlighted the current struggles. "Arrangements at the cremation grounds of Kashi should exist as per its stature in Sanatan," Shukla said. "Currently, Kashi lacks proper facilities. People coming from across the country to fulfill their loved ones' wish for Moksha struggle hard due to overcrowding."
Vishwanath Chaudhary from the Dom Raja family acknowledged the government introduced this project to address problems at Manikarnika Ghat. He believes it will bring relief to everyone. "Destruction of old structures, including our own house, for renovation upsets us," Chaudhary admitted. "But we cannot deny that no redevelopment is possible without removing old structures."
Tirth Purohits, or priests, of Manikarnika Ghat, Rishi Dave and Vinod Dave, shared their perspective. They noted that no new development can happen without demolishing previously built structures. However, they expressed frustration that the project has lingered for almost three years, adding to existing problems.
The priests pointed out that carelessness by workers led to the demolition of the madhi. This action fueled public anger further. They warned that if debris is not cleared in time, managing crowds during the Panchkoshi and Antargirihi yatras will become problematic.
The situation in Varanasi remains complex. It balances respect for historical heritage with the urgent need for modern facilities at one of Hinduism's most sacred sites.
