ASI Grants Daily Worship Rights to Hindus at Bhojshala Complex

The historic Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district is witnessing a major shift in its daily operations. Following a landmark ruling by the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has officially granted Hindu devotees the right to perform daily worship at the site. The court declared the 11th-century monument a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, also known as Saraswati.

This new directive, issued on May 16, effectively replaces a decades-old arrangement. Since 2003, access to the site was divided: Hindu devotees were permitted to pray on Tuesdays, while the Muslim community offered prayers on Fridays. The High Court has now quashed that previous order, clearing the way for unrestricted daily access for Hindu worshippers.

The court's decision was largely based on a 2024 scientific report from the ASI. The report concluded that the complex, often referred to as the Bhojshala complex-Kamal Maula mosque, was originally constructed using the remnants of earlier temples. According to the findings, the mosque structure was built centuries after the original temple.

While the site will remain a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958, the specific timings for worship will now be managed by the superintending archaeologist and local district administration.

Legal representatives for the Hindu side have welcomed the move, stating that devotees can now visit and pray without the previous restrictions. On the other side, representatives from the Muslim community have expressed their intention to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court. The High Court also mentioned that the state government could be approached for alternative land within the Dhar district to construct a mosque.

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