Major victory for Hindus: Priest performs puja inside Gyanvapi mosque complex after 30 years

Major victory for Hindus: In a major victory for the Hindu side, Varanasi court granted permission to Hindu petitioners to conduct worship inside the formerly sealed basement of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. 

The court's order specified that priests from the Vishwanath Temple are allowed to perform prayers, and arrangements should be made to dismantle barricades restricting entry to the mosque's basement. 

Also Read: Gyanvapi Case: Varanasi court allow Hindus to offer prayers at 'Vyas Ka Tekhana'

Three decades ago, a Hindu priest from the Vyas family ceased conducting prayers within Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque. Today, Jitendra Nath Vyas, a member of the Vyas family, offered prayers inside the mosque adjoining the Kashi Vishwanath temple for the first time.

Puja started at gyanvyapi pic.twitter.com/ZjcWYnklCG — Vishnu Shankar Jain (@Vishnu_Jain1) February 1, 2024

The Mangla Arti was performed at 3:30 in the morning and bhog was done at 12 pm

Meanwhile, taking to his X handle (former Twitter), the Hindu side lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain also posted the timings for Aarti at Vyas cellar. 

Timings for Aarti at Vyas cellar

Daily 5 Aarti 
Mangla- 3:30am 
Bhog- 12 pm 
Apranh- 4pm 
Sanykaal- 7pm 
Shayan- 10:30 pm

Timings for aarti at vyas cellar

Daily 5 aarti

Mangla- 3:30am
Bhog- 12 pm
Apranh- 4pm
Sanykaal- 7pm
Shayan- 10:30pm

2 done so far
Next at 4pm — Vishnu Shankar Jain (@Vishnu_Jain1) February 1, 2024

Meanwhile, Jitendra Nath Vyas a member of the Vyas family who has been allowed to offer prayers inside the mosque located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi said he was very happy to pray at the Tehkhana again.

The developments come at a time when the Muslim side led by the Anjum Intejamia committee approached the Allahabad High Court to challenge the Varanasi Court's decision. The Hindu side has filed a caveat before the High court demanding that it be heard before the plea is taken up.

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The mosque has four 'tahkhanas' (cellars) in the basement, of which one is still in the possession of the Vyas family, who used to live there. Vyas had petitioned that, as a hereditary pujari, he be allowed to enter the tahkhana and resume pooja. 

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The Gyanvapi Mosque case pertains to a long-standing legal and religious controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, India. The mosque is located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the holiest sites in Hinduism. The controversy primarily involves claims by Hindu groups asserting the right to perform religious activities at the disputed site.

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