Memoirs from Kashi Diary
In 2019,as we navigated our way through narrow alleys of Kashi , stumbling on rough pavement in the early hours of morning, We had discarded our shoes in one corner , our feet were drenched on wet surface with slime/morning discharges of garbage as the alley was shared as garbage dump for collection of waste in morning, human discharges ran in gutters ( I dared not look),we lost sense of direction and followed group of devotees and came across narrow passageway
A narrow path divided old walls drenched with stains Banarasi paan and barbed wire fence with tin sheet coverings. Along every 10 feet were machinegun wielding policemen… tense and alert. It was as if we were entering in war zone
Beyond the sheets stood majestic temple wall, covered with mandovara, stambhas and Bhittishilpa belonging to medieval era ,its walls were so high that tin sheets barely covered the view.
As I lingered to look at it, trying to remember ‘Plan Of The Ancient Temple Of Vishveshvur by British historian James Prinsep in 1832, policemen snarled ‘move to temple, don’t stop’…Already frustrated my friend Macchindra asked –where is the Temple?
I smiled and asked him, Which temple you want to see ? Old one or new one?.
“Plan Of The Ancient Temple Of Vishveshvur,” engraving, by the Anglo-Indian scholar, antiquarian and mint assay master James Prinsep. Dated 1832. Courtesy of the British Library, London.
The temple you are visiting, was built by patronage much later, whereas the Gyanwapi Masjid is original or much older Temple of Kashi Vishwanath.
Surprised he tried to ask Temple authorities. The man at desk said he has been born in Kashi and never heard of it…However the priest told him that What I had said was true. The officer was shocked saying he spent whole lifetime and did not know it.
Priest said further…Be assured the Time of temple will come.
As I was reading report filed by ASI , I remembered the incident. ..and the long wait of Nandi who is still facing the destroyed temple….he has not forgotten his lord.
For those interested in report of ASI & court order please check following link
For court orders
Bharat Virasat 