Recent revelations from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have brought to light intriguing aspects of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi, where only a fraction of its underground cellars have remained accessible. A contentious dispute has emerged, primarily fueled by claims from the Hindu side suggesting that the sealed-off chambers may harbor relics and idols from an ancient temple, thus adding layers of historical and religious significance to the ongoing legal battle.
In response to this complex situation, the Allahabad High Court has rendered a verdict permitting Hindu prayers to continue in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque, thereby rejecting a challenge against this practice. This ruling follows an exploration into the complex's past conducted by the ASI, which uncovered not just one but ten underground chambers using ground-penetrating radar technology.
The focal point of contention revolves around "Vyas Ji Ka Tehkhana," one of the cellars where Shailendra Kumar Pathak, drawing on lineage and tradition, sought authorization to resume Hindu worship practices that had been discontinued since December 1993. Despite assertions from the mosque's management denying the presence of idols or prior worship within the cellar, the court's decision was heavily influenced by the ASI's findings, which suggested a deep-rooted Hindu temple foundation underlying the mosque's structure.
The ASI's survey revealed the existence of five chambers each in the northern and southern halves of the mosque's basement. However, eight of these chambers have been sealed and filled with soil, rendering them inaccessible. Only two of these cellars, including "Vyas Ji Ka Tehkhana," are presently accessible, with the ASI's findings igniting fervent speculation regarding the hidden treasures they may hold.
While the Hindu side advocates for further archaeological exploration to uncover the truth concealed within these sealed chambers, the Muslim side urges caution, expressing apprehension about the potential structural repercussions of such excavations. This dichotomy of perspectives underscores the complex nature of the legal battle surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque.
As the legal saga unfolds, the fate of the other nine sealed cellars and the adjacent well remains uncertain. Additionally, the Hindu side awaits a court decision on their petition for an ASI survey of the "wazukhana," believed to house a shilling. Against the backdrop of ongoing legal disputes and archaeological revelations, the mystery surrounding the origins of the Gyanvapi complex persists, shrouding its hidden chambers in intrigue and uncertainty.
