Lord Vishnu Statue Found In Northeastern Part Of Bhojshala Temple In Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar

A team of the Archaeological Survey of India on Monday found a statue of Lord Vishnu in the northeastern part of ‘Bhojshala complex’ at Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district.

A Hindu petitioner claimed that the ASI team had already recovered the statues of Lord Krishna, Lord Bholenath and seven-faced Lord Basukinathi from the Bhojshala’s northeastern part.

In a conversation with news agency ANI, the Hindu petitioner Gopal Sharma said, “On the directions of the High Court, the ASI team conducted its survey. The survey was initiated on March 22 and it was 95th day of the survey. A team of eight officials and 32 labourers was conducting a survey in the sanctum sanctorum (garbhgriha) and in the northeastern part of Bhojshala. Today, the photography part was being done in Garbhagriha, while in the northeastern part of Bhojshala, a statue of Lord Vishnu was found. Earlier, the ASI team has already found the statues of Lord Krishna, Lord Bholenath and seven-faced Lord Basukinathi. The ASI team has taken the statue of Lord Vishnu under their surveillance.”

On March 22, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a survey of the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex, that is situated in the tribal-dominated Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh and made preparations for using carbon-dating equipment.

This monument belongs to the medieval-era and the Hindus believe it to be a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls it Kamal Maula Mosque.

In the order from March 11, Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the ASI to form an expert committee that will “complete scientific investigation, survey and excavation, through the adoption of the latest methods and techniques” and submit the report within six weeks.

During the next hearing into the matter on April 29, the ASI asked for more time for the survey. The court further granted ASI eight weeks’ time from April 29 for the survey.

The court also made clear that no further extension of time should be granted to comply with the order dated March 11.

The ASI team has also been directed by the court to submit the complete exhaustive report on or before July 2, 2024.

The next hearing into the matter is scheduled for July 4.

According to an arrangement in 2003, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays from sunrise to sunset, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm.