Varanasi is a 5000 year old city that has given rise to legends and nurtured countless generations. The mythical Raja Harischandra performed divine penance on it’s ghats, totaling 80 in number, the renowned writer Premchand hailed from nearby Lamhi and the aghoris, the cannibalistic, Shiva worshiping sages and an Israeli colony, all have made their mark here, which has gotten more and more prominent over the years, especially with the Western tourists who paradoxically worship these places more than the Indians themselves, in the naturalist Thoureauesque spirit. It can be safely argued that the individualism doctrine that so permeates the West can be very tiring and the religious close knit community of Varanasi provides a safe haven from that torment.
It is popularly believed that the Kashi Vishwanath temple has been awarded the status of the ultimate tirth( pilgrimage spot) and since it is located in the city of Varanasi, mythology tells us that it is blessed by Shiva himself and will survive the inevitable cosmic flood, whenever that happens, making this spot an unmissable location for all Hindus over the world.
Right beside it now stands the infamous Gyanvapi mosque, constructed by the tyrannical Aurangzeb. It’s origins have been subject to countless media trials and public trials with no fixed verdict coming and alleviating the pain. The riot sentiments have been high, especially so after the 1992 Babri Masjid fiasco, which till date remains a sore spot.
Keeping in mind the amazing power of the media’s captivating spell that sways the hardest of lawmakers and courts, the government has directed the ongoing ASI officials to survey the location and present the final report to the court itself and keep it away from the penetrating glare of the media, with further investigations going on, so no comments are to be made.
