Videos of the trishul and swastika were recorded for the Gyanvapi survey

 

In order to ascertain whether the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi was built over a Hindu temple, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) continued its investigation of the structure on Friday. A trident (trishul), swastika, bell, and flower-like symbol etched on the walls and pillars of the Gyanvapi complex were the subject of videography and photography by the top archaeological organization.

The first day was spent surveying the symbols on the walls, domes, and pillars.

The survey included the formations carved on the disputed structure's domes and pillars and recorded the building method and age of each design. The district authorities sent out a huge number of security guards to maintain peace and order close to the Gyanvapi complex.

The survey took place on the first day for roughly seven hours, during which time the ASI took pictures of the structures' designs. The depth and height of various elements of the Gyanvapi complex were measured, and dial test indicators were positioned on each of the structure's four corners.

The ASI team had 37 members; when joined with the IIT expert teams, a total of 41 people made up the team, which was split into four teams to begin this survey.

On Saturday, the survey started up again and the Muslim side said they would participate. Today's survey started at 9 am and will last till 12.30 pm. It will start up again at 2:30 PM and continue till 5:00 PM.

"The ASI recorded a video yesterday. There is a possibility that the survey of underground locations (tehkhana) will take place today. On the structure, different symbols are visible. All the idols that were buried within may be found using ground penetrating radar (GPR), one of the petitioners said, according to the news agency ANI.

"The survey will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m. For us, yesterday was a significant day of celebration. The poll will now go on. Today, the Muslim side will work with us, she remarked.

According to the news agency PTI, a Varanasi court on Friday gave the ASI an additional four weeks to do the scientific survey on the Gyanvapi mosque, which is near the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The nation's top archaeology organization should survey the Gyanvapi mosque, according to the Supreme Court, which stated on Friday that a "non-invasive method" should be used. The district court's survey ruling had been contested by the mosque committee before the Allahabad High Court.

The mosque committee attempted to suspend the district court's ruling for the ASI to conduct the survey to ascertain whether the mosque was constructed on top of an earlier temple, but the high court refused their appeal on Thursday.