Old Ayodhya temples get demolition notice

LUCKNOW : The Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have expressed reservations over the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation’s decision to demolish temples that are in a dilapidated condition.

The Ayodhya Municipal Corporation has served demolition notices to 138 dilapidated buildings, including temples that are around 500 to 600 years old.

Ayodhya mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay said, “We have issued notices to demolish 138 buildings that are in a dilapidated condition. Many of these buildings have historic temples. We will request the state government to restore these temples.”

Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, president of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, said, “We have requested the authorities not to

demolish the historic temples. Some of them are very old and must be restored.”

Demanding restoration of the temples, the VHP’s regional spokesperson, said: “When Gulab Badi and Bahu Begum Ka Maqbara can be preserved in Ayodhya, why cannot we restore historic temples?”Owing to a dearth of funds, a large number of

temples in Ayodhya have turned into dilapidated structures and are on the verge of collapse. Almost every lane and by-lane in the pilgrim town has a temple, some dating back to 500 years.

The 500-year old Chaturbhuj Mandir at Naya Ghat figures on the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation’s list of dilapidated buildings marked for demolition.

Mahant Balramdas of the Chaturbhuj temple said, “We do not have funds to carry out renovation of temples. Owing to a lack of maintenance work, this historic temple has turned into a dilapidated structure. The government must provide funds or ask the Archaeological Survey of India to restore the temple, instead of demolishing it.”

Sri Ram Niwas, Choti Kutiya, Ramayan Bhawan, Betiya Mandir, Hanuman Mandir and Shesh Mahal temples are also on the demolition list.