Varanasi: Seer denied permission to offer prayers and jalabhishek of newly discovered ‘shivlinga’ in Gyanvapi premises

VARANASI: The police denied permission to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the disciple of the Shankaracharya of Jyotish and Sharda peeths Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, to offer prayers and jalabhishek of the newly discovered ‘shivlinga’, found during court commission survey, in Gyanvapi mosque premises. He had announced that he will worship the ‘shivlinga’ on Saturday.
The Varanasi Police Commissionerate issued a press statement on Friday stating that Avimukteshwaranad, who had applied for the permission on Thursday, was not granted permission to offer prayers, as the matter is sub-judice and the site has been sealed by the orders of the court.
The police also warned that stern action would be taken if anybody tries to breach the peace and law and order.
However, Avimuskteshwaranand, on Friday, also issued details of his programme according to which, he along with 71 devotees will leave for the Gyanvapi from Vidya math at 8:30am on Saturday. They will go to Lalita Ghat by boat, and collect Gangajal in pots to offer prayers and jalabhishek. They will return at 10am after performing the rituals.
Meanwhile, former mahant of Kashi Vishwanath temple Dr Kulpati Tiwari denounced the move of Avimukteshwaranand. “It is not fair to offer prayers at the site until the court’s decision comes”, he said, adding, “Yeh mahoul ko bigaadne wala kadam hai (It is a move to disturb the peace)”.