Editor's Pick | ASI report says a temple existed at Gyanvapi site

The western wall of the Gyanvapi mosque located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is the remaining part of a pre-existing Hindu temple, says the ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey report of the structure prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The ASI report concluded that it can be said there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure, that is the mosque. The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure. “Based on scientific studies/survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure,” the ASI report stated. The ASI also stated that it had systematically and scientifically studied the pillars and pilasters used in the existing structure and it was found that for the enlargement of the mosque and constructing sahan, parts of the pre-existing temple, including pillars and pilasters, were reused with little modifications. Sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried under the dumped soil in cellar S2, the ASI report said. The inscriptions are in Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts. The ASI report has been revealed after a Varanasi district court ordered the body to publish the scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque findings so that all petitioners, both Hindus and Muslims, will have access to the same. The dispute over the Gyanvapi mosque - Kashi Vishwanath temple arose again when five Hindu women approached the same court demanding access and the right to offer daily prayers at the Hindu site Maa Shringar Gauri located outside the western wall of the mosque. The Hindu’s Editorials Exchange of opportunity: on science, the Vaibhav and VAJRA programmes The last mile: On the Anganwadi workers’ strike in Andhra Pradesh The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz In which city in India is the iconic Amber Fort situated? Aurangabad Jaipur Agra Ahmedabad To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 26 January 2024 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( ASI report says a temple existed at Gyanvapi site The western wall of the Gyanvapi mosque located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is the remaining part of a pre-existing Hindu temple, says the ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey report of the structure prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The ASI report [concluded that it can be said there existed a Hindu temple]( prior to the construction of the existing structure, that is the mosque. The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure. “Based on scientific studies/survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure,” the ASI report stated. The ASI also stated that it had systematically and scientifically studied the pillars and pilasters used in the existing structure and it was found that for the enlargement of the mosque and constructing sahan, parts of the pre-existing temple, including pillars and pilasters, were reused with little modifications. Sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried under the dumped soil in cellar S2, the ASI report said. The inscriptions are in Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts. The ASI report has been revealed after a Varanasi district court ordered the body to publish the scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque findings so that all petitioners, both Hindus and Muslims, will have access to the same. The [dispute over the Gyanvapi mosque - Kashi Vishwanath temple]( arose again when five Hindu women approached the same court demanding access and the right to offer daily prayers at the Hindu site Maa Shringar Gauri located outside the western wall of the mosque. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Exchange of opportunity: on science, the Vaibhav and VAJRA programmesÂ]( [Arrow][The last mile: On the Anganwadi workers’ strike in Andhra Pradesh]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz In which city in India is the iconic Amber Fort situated? - Aurangabad - Jaipur - Agra - Ahmedabad To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here](. 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