Ajmer Dargah Sharif temple controversy
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Shrine of Mu'in al-Din Chishti. (Discuss) Proposed since December 2024. |
| Ajmer Sharif Dargah | |
|---|---|
.JPG) The tomb of Moinuddin Chishti is one of India's most important Sufi tomb | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| District | Ajmer district |
| Ownership | Government of Rajasthan |
| Location | |
| Location | Ajmer |
| State | Rajasthan |
| Country | India |
  Shown within Rajasthan  Ajmer Dargah Sharif temple controversy (India) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 26°27′22″N 74°37′41″E / 26.45613°N 74.62817°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Sunni Islam |
| Type | Mosque, Sufi mausoleum |
| Style | Modern |
| Date established | 1236 (AD) |
| Completed | 1236 (AD) |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | West |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
| Website | |
| ajmerdargahsharif | |
In late 2024, claims emerged that the Shrine of Mu'in al-Din Chishti in Ajmer, also called Ajmer Dargah Sharif, was built over a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The dargah received notification on 27 November 2024 that a local court in Ajmer had accepted a petition from Hindu Sena chief Vishnu Gupta.[1] The petition claimed that the dargah be declared a Hindu temple and its registration should be canceled, and demanded an ASI survey to be conducted.[2]
Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel issued notices to the Dargah Committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the plea seeking to declare the Dargah a temple. The petition at large disturbed the Hindu-Muslim harmony. The tension in the country was already prevailing with the issues revolving around Shahi Eidgah, Gyan Vapi Masjid, and Babri Masjid (now where Ram Temple is already built). The Ajmer dargah is the place where even Hindu fundamentalist leaders offer or send ‘chadars’. Leaders such as such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, and others are often reported to have paid respects by offering chadars at the dargah.[2]
The petition was based on the book Ajmer: Historical and Descriptive, by Har Bilas Sarda which narrates the tradition says that inside the cellar is the image of Mahadeva in a temple.[2]
Sarwar Chishty, secretary of the Anjuman Moinia Fakhria, a body representing the dargah's hereditary caretakers (khadims) calls these claims baseless. Ajmer Munsif criminal and civil (west) court will next hear Hindu Sena’s civil suit on Dec 20. [3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Court notice on Ajmer dargah plea sparks sharp reactions in political, religious circles". The Hindu. November 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Shiva Temple under Ajmer Sharif Dargah? Here is all about the latest controversy". November 29, 2024 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
- ^ "Was Ajmer Dargah a Shiva temple? What books, Hindu petitioner's evidence suggest". India Today. November 28, 2024.