Bhagyalakshmi Temple
Bhagyalakshmi Temple | |
---|---|
Hyderabad | |
Deity | Lakshmi |
Location | |
Location | Charminar, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002 |
State | Telangana |
Country | India |
Geographic coordinates | 17°21′41″N 78°28′28″E / 17.36139°N 78.47444°E |
Temple(s) | 1 |
Bhagyalakshmi temple is a shrine dedicated to a
History
According to the Muslim Priest of Charminar altar, the original stone in question was a guard stone placed near the corner to protect the walls of charminar from automobiles.[3]
In 2012,
Claims of newer origins of temple are proposed by historians such as Narendra Luther, who claim the temple did not exist until the 1960s when it was erected un-necessarily by some locals.[1] According to historians, one of the guard stone similar in shape to a milestone near Charminar was painted with saffron color in 1965, and an old woman became the person in-charge of this shrine. After an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus collided with the stone and damaged it, a pucca structure was created at the site.[4] An idol of the goddess Lakshmi replaced the stone.[1]
A case was filed in the High court, opposing the encroachment of Charminar by the temple authorities. High court ordered to maintain the status quo and banned any further construction of the temple.[5]
Local Congress leader G. Niranjan considers the co-existence of the two structures as a reflection of the "composite culture" of Hyderabad. He claimed that Charminar had places of worship for both communities for several centuries and it was sending a message to the entire world about rich secular traditions and the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb ("composite culture") of Hyderabad.[6] A book sources the name of the shrine in the memory of the Queen Bhagmati (or Bhagyavati).[7]
AMASR Act
The "Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act" or AMASR Act passed in 1958 is an act of parliament of the government of India that provides for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.[8][9]
The rules stipulate that area in the vicinity of the monument, within 100 meters is prohibited area. The area within 200 meters of the monument is regulated category. Any repair or modifications of buildings in this area requires prior permission.[10] According to the ASI officials, the Bhagya Laxmi temple comes under the prohibited area of the monument Char Minar. Hence any activity that attempts to extend the structure is considered "illegal activity".[10]
Controversies
The temple has been a subject of friction between temple administration, who wish to expand the temple, and local Indian historical preservationists, who want to preserve historic Muslim Indian heritage of the
During the
During the night of 1 November 2012, the temple administration started to carry out illegal construction work without the permission of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), stating that they were decorating the temple ahead of the Diwali festival by replacing old bamboo with new ones.[1][12] The construction activity, which was illegal according to the ASI, was stopped by the police.[13] Local Muslim politicians feared that the expansion might damage the historic Charminar, which they identify with Islamic heritage. This construction work at the temple premises triggered Hindu-Muslim tension in the city.
The temple authorities maintain that they were not planning an expansion and had only replaced the worn-out bamboo structures with new ones.
On 16 November 2012, more violence broke out after the
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Trust denies expansion of Bhagyalakshmi temple". The Times of India. 7 November 2012. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- ^ "Bhagyalakshmi temple came into existence after merger of Hyderabad with India: ASI".
- ^ "Statement of Muslim Priest of Charminar". Print version hosted at Atlasobscura. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7370-102-3. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "High Court permits decoration of Bhagyalakshmi temple at Charminar". The Hindu. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- ^ "Congress leader questions authenticity of old photo of Charminar". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 22 November 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7024-866-8. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958" (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ^ Tripathi, Shailaja (28 April 2010). "Monumental!". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ^ a b JS Iftekhar (7 November 2012). "Extension of temple illegal - ASI". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ Communal Riots in India: A Chronology (1947-2003)[permanent dead link]. Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, March 2004.
- ^ "Troubled old city keeps police on the edge". The Hindu. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ JS Iftekhar (7 November 2012). "Extension of temple illegal - ASI". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "Tension in Hyderabad". Asian Age. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Tension in Hyderabad Old City over Bhagyalakshmi temple pandal, MIM MLAs arrested". The Times of India. 12 November 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "Charminar under police siege for third day". NDTV. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ "Tension in Hyderabad: Cong leaders try to placate MIM". One India. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.[permanent dead link]
- DNA. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.