I saw another shivling in Gyanvapi premises, claims ex-mahant of KVT

VARANASI: Bolstering the claims of the plaintiffs in the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case, a former mahant of Kashi Vishwanath Temple (KVT) Dr Kulpati Tiwari on Saturday said that there was another small shivling kept in a shelf on the western wall of the Gyanvapi premises which should bxe looked into by a competent authorities. However, an office-bearer of the Anjuman Intizamia Masajid (AIM) termed the claim as ‘baseless’.
Dr Tiwari claims to have seen this shivling and showed some photographs of the Gyanvapi premises. “I don’t know if this shivling still exists at the same place or has been removed from its location. I demand that competent authorities should make it clear,” said Dr Tiwari, who was the last serving mahant of the KVT before a government-appointed trust took over the management in 1983. He claims that the pictures in his possession were clicked in 2014.

Showing some other old photographs, he said that the figures of lotus flower and bell could also be seen on the walls. In another picture, some children could be seen playing in that part of Gyanvapi premises where the temple of Shringar Gauri is located. In another picture, the rear wall of the Gyanvapi structure is clearly visible, which seems to be of an ancient temple, he claimed.
Referring to the pond in Gyanvapi premises, Dr. Tiwari said that the meaning of Gyanvapi in English is ‘Well of Knowledge’. “The idol of Nandi and the idol of Lord Hanuman are visible behind this pond which was constructed by Lord Shiva himself with his trident. After bathing in it, Goddess Parvati used to worship Lord Vishveshvar,” he said.
He further said that he would file a petition in the local court for allowing regular ‘puja-archana’ of the shivling found during the recent survey.
“I am going to file a petition in the local court on Monday, requesting for daily religious rituals and puja of the shivling discovered during the recent survey,” Dr. Tiwari told TOI on Saturday, adding that he and his family have been worshipping Bhagwan Vishwanath for generations.

“The shivling found in the Gyanvapi premises can’t be left abandoned without daily worship,” he added.
However, refuting the claim of Dr. Tiwari, joint secretary of AIM, SM Yaseen said, “His (Dr. Tiwari) claim is baseless. There is no ‘takha’ (shelf) on the wall in Gyanvapi premises. We don’t know what he is talking about in which picture,” said Yaseen, adding that such baseless claims may breach the peace and harmony of the city.
During a recent survey of the Gyanvapi premises by a court-appointed commission, a shivling-like structure was found in the wuzu khana (abultion pond) of the mosque. The Hindu side claims it to be a shivling, while the Muslim side terms it as a fountain. The survey report has been submitted to the court. The district judge would take up the case on Monday, as per the supreme court order.