asi survey

Mantapa inside gopuram, Shiva idol now visible to devotees

SP’s PDA Faces Litmus Test As Pasis, Muslims Contest Over An Old Structure In Malihabad

Scores of workers daily scour every corner of the grand monument, relying mainly on skills built up over the years and experience handed down generations to ensure it stays damage-free and safe

An Ashtadhatu idol of Goddess Vagdevi was secretly placed inside the sensitive Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday. Found with puja materials, the idol remained for hours before ASI officials removed it. This incident, following a High Court ruling declaring Bhojshala a temple, raises security concerns at the protected monument.

Archaeological Survey of India officials have urged Jajpur district authorities to take strong legal action against encroachers and illegal stone quarry operators threatening the Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. Recent unauthorized construction and quarrying activities within prohibited zones risk damaging these vital historical monuments, prompting urgent intervention to preserve Odisha's rich cultural heritage.

Dhar's Bhojshala saw Hindu devotees offering prayers on Friday following a High Court order. The monument was declared a Hindu temple. Muslims stayed away, protesting with black armbands and shuttered shops. They have filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court. Heavy security ensured peace throughout the day. Thousands of Hindus gathered, celebrating the court's decision.

EaseMyTrip Foundation has partnered with the Archaeological Survey of India to launch the 'Savee Cafeteria' at Delhi's Qutub Minar. This initiative aims to enhance the visitor experience at the iconic monument by providing clean, affordable food facilities. The collaboration underscores the growing importance of public-private partnerships in bolstering India's heritage tourism infrastructure, catering to the rising demand for experiential travel.

Madhya Pradesh High Court has reserved its decision on the religious character of the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district. Hindus claim it's a temple to Goddess Vagdevi, while Muslims assert it's the Kamal Maula mosque. Security has been heightened as the court prepares to deliver its verdict after extensive hearings.

Odisha State Archaeology has partnered with IIT-Kharagpur and SPA, Bhopal, through non-financial MoUs to conserve the state's heritage. This collaboration will integrate modern science and technology for documentation, preservation, and development of historical monuments and archaeological sites, benefiting numerous structures across Odisha.

Following the Madhya Pradesh High Court's verdict recognizing Dhar's Bhojshala complex as Goddess Vagdevi's temple, Hindu petitioners have filed new pleas. They are demanding free entry for devotees, further excavation, and the opening of a locked room, asserting the court's order necessitates unrestricted access and removal of 'unauthorised Islamic symbols'.

Villages in Hazaribag's Chauparan block reveal a vast, 3,200-year-old settlement with layered historical periods. Surface finds and scientific surveys point to significant archaeological discoveries, including ancient wells and potential Buddhist stupas. Experts urge immediate ASI intervention to protect this invaluable heritage site from unregulated development and potential theft.