Sacred Return: Devotees Place Goddess Saraswati Portrait in Bhojshala Sanctum Sanctorum Amid Tight Security

Emotional scenes unfolded at the historic Bhojshala complex as large crowds of Hindu devotees gathered to install a portrait of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) inside the sanctum sanctorum on Sunday. The religious event follows a monumental verdict by the Madhya Pradesh High Court declaring the disputed 11th-century structure a temple dedicated entirely to Goddess Saraswati. Consequently, local authorities deployed over 1,200 police personnel to maintain heavy security and ensure a peaceful transition.

Sanctification Rituals and Eternal Flame Installation

The atmosphere turned celebratory early Sunday morning as Vedic priests led elaborate purification rituals at the site. Specifically, members of the Bhoj Utsav Samiti purified the entire complex using Ganga water and cow urine.

Moreover, devotees decorated the inner sanctum with intricate rangoli patterns before placing the portrait of Goddess Saraswati. In addition, priests relocated the Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) from the nearby Jyoti Temple and permanently established it inside the main inner sanctum. Ultimately, these rituals marked the end of decades of shared inter-faith worship, transforming the complex back into a full-time learning and prayer centre.

High Court Overturns Shared Worship Order

The mass gathering occurred immediately after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) issued formal guidelines implementing the High Court’s May 15 ruling.

• 2003 Order Quashed: The High Court completely cancelled a 23-year-old ASI arrangement that previously allowed Muslims to offer Friday Namaz on the premises.
• Exclusive Rights: The new mandate grants the Hindu community unrestricted daily access for religious worship.
• Mosque Land Allotment: Furthermore, the court directed the state government to allocate separate land in Dhar district for the Muslim community to construct a mosque.

The Global Push for the Original Idol

A portrait now rests in the inner sanctum. However, the legal victory has renewed efforts to retrieve the original 11th-century marble idol. This statue was sculpted during Raja Bhoj’s reign. Consequently, the High Court urged the Central Government to advance talks with British authorities. Their goal is to repatriate the original Vagdevi sculpture. Notably, the British Museum in London has housed the piece since colonial excavations in 1875.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed the directive. Specifically, he called the verdict a landmark moment of respect for India’s historical and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the Muslim side has voiced disagreement with the ASI scientific survey findings. Consequently, they intend to challenge the High Court’s ruling in the Supreme Court.

Conclusion

The reintroduction of daily prayers and the sacred flame signals a major turning point for the ancient site of learning. Ultimately, the peaceful execution of Sunday’s massive gathering proves the efficiency of the local administration’s security apparatus. The central government is exploring diplomatic options to return the London idol. Meanwhile, the immediate focus remains on ensuring long-term communal harmony. Consequently, authorities are maintaining a strict vigil around the newly designated temple complex.