In response to the court’s decision, the Kashi Vishwanath Trust conducted rituals, including Shayan Aarti and Mangal Aarti at the Gyanvapi mosque.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain confirmed compliance with the court’s directive.
Daily worship activities, such as Morning Mangla Arti, Bhog Arti, and evening arti, are now integrated into the routine.
Security measures were heightened during the early Thursday puja, following preparations initiated promptly after the district court’s order.
The Tekhana path leading to the Vishwanath Temple opened at midnight, where idols were placed, and prayers with prasad offerings took place.
Gyanvapi complex authorities will now oversee all worship rituals, and the Uttar Pradesh Police remain on high alert, patrolling and monitoring social media to prevent untoward incidents.
A recent directive from the Varanasi District Judge has brought attention to a longstanding dispute surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
The judge has mandated the District Administration to facilitate arrangements within the next seven days, allowing Hindus to resume worshipping rituals inside one of the sealed cellars or basements, known as ‘Somnath Vyas’ tehkhana, within the mosque premises.
This marks a significant development as worship at this particular spot had been discontinued two decades ago.
The order specifies that the District Magistrate, acting as the receiver, should coordinate the performance of puja and raga-blog by the priest appointed by the Kashi Vishwanath Trust Board and the plaintiff.
To facilitate this, the directive called for the implementation of proper arrangements, including iron fencing, within the specified timeframe.
The historical context of the matter traces back to 1993 when the Vyas family, until then responsible for conducting religious ceremonies in the basement, had to cease these practices in compliance with a directive from the state government.
The dispute revolves around competing narratives, with Hindu nationalists asserting that the Gyanvapi mosque was constructed on the site of the original Kashi Vishwanath temple.
In contrast, Muslims argue that the mosque was built on Waqf premises, emphasizing the protection provided by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits altering the character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947.
This legal and religious tug-of-war underscores the complex dynamics surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque, raising questions about historical heritage, religious freedom, and legal interpretations.