A Varanasi district court has ordered the ASI to conduct an archaeological survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in response to the petition filed by a local lawyer, VS Rastogi. He had filed the petition demanding the restoration of the land where the Gyanvapi mosque is built over the temple.

In his appeal, Rastogi claims that the Gyanvapi mosque was built over the temple by demolishing the temple itself. He has demanded that the land should be rightfully handed over to the Hindus. This mosque was built by Mughal emperor Aurangazeb in 1669 after demolishing a portion of the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Hindus all over the country are elated by this news. After the judgement on the Ayodhya case, Hindus were demanding the resolution in matters relating to Kashi Vishwanath temple and Mathura’s Krishna temple by courts.

In response, the local court has ordered the ASI to conduct an archaeological survey of the temple and Gyanvapi mosque complex. The court in its order informed the ASI to form a five-member committee and also to include two members from the minority community. Further, all expenses relating to the survey should be paid by the UP Government.

History of Gyanvapi Mosque

Mughal emperor Aurangazeb in 1669 built the Gyanvapi mosque after demolishing a portion of the 200-year-old Kashi Vishwanath temple. We can clearly see the ruins of the temple architecture under the Gyanvapi mosque even now.

It is believed that the temple was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. The last temple structure prior to the construction of the mosque was built by Raja Man Singh.

The mosque is named after a well, which is called ‘the Gyan Vapi’ or the well of knowledge. It is located in the vicinity of the mosque. According to the legends of the temple, the lingam of the original temple was hidden in this well when the temple was destroyed. It was believed that the water of this well was considered very sacred like the Ganga river.