Varanasi: There was another shivling inside Gyanvapi, says ex-mahant of KVT

VARANASI: A former mahant of Kashi Vishwanath temple said on Saturday that he had seen a small shivling in a shelf on the western wall of the Gyanvapi masjid and called upon competent authorities to look into it.
Dr Kulpati Tiwari’s claim was dismissed as “baseless” by a functionary of Anjuman Intizamia Masajid (AIM), the mosque management committee. Tiwari’s statement followed the reported finding of a shivling-like structure in a pond of the mosque—where the faithful did wuzu or ablution before prayers—during a survey of the premises by a court-appointed commission.
The video survey was ordered following a lawsuit filed by five women in April last year seeking unrestricted daily worship of the idol of goddess Shringar Gauri placed on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Showing photographs that he claimed were clicked in 2014, Tiwari said: “I don’t know if this shivling still exists at the same place or removed. I demand competent authorities to make it clear.” Figures of lotus flowers and bells could also be seen on the walls, said the last serving mahant of Kashi Vishwanath temple before a government-appointed trust took over the management in 1983.
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. Tiwari said Gyanvapi means ‘well of knowledge’, referring to the wuzu pond.
“Idol of Nandi and Hanuman are visible behind this pond, which was built by Lord Shiva himself with his trident. After bathing in it, goddess Parvati used to worship Lord Vishveshvar (another name for Shiva),” he said. He said he will file a petition on Monday to let people worship the shivling found during the survey.
“The shivling found on the Gyanvapi premises can’t be abandoned.” Dr Tiwari 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.
Refuting Tiwari’s claim, AIM joint secretary SM Yaseen said, “His claim is baseless. There is no ‘takha’ (shelf) on the wall on the Gyanvapi premises. We don’t know what he is talking about in which picture,” he said, cautioning that people should avoid making unsubstantiated claims as these may breach peace and harmony.