Before offering namaz, people wash their hands and feet at a Wuzukhana. The Shivling was reportedly discovered at the Wuzukhana inside the Gyanvapi mosque, prompting the Varanasi court to seal the premises and prohibit Muslims from performing wuzu.
After petitioner Sohan Lal Arya informed the court that a Shivling had been discovered inside the complex of the disputed Gyanvapi structure, a Varanasi court issued an order Monday directing authorities to immediately seal the area where the Shivling had been discovered.
The Varanasi court directed the local administration to seal the area where Shivling was discovered during the court-mandated videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex in the order, a copy of which has been made public. It stated that only 20 Muslims should be allowed to enter the premises at a time to offer Namaz. It also requested that authorities prohibit Muslims from performing Wuzukhana in the pond at the Gyanvapi premise, where the Shivling was discovered.
The court also stated that the UP director general of police (DGP) and the UP chief secretary (Administration) will be in charge of overseeing the authorities’ efforts to keep the site secure.
The court decided that the survey inside the disputed Gyanvapi mosque, which is located next to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple, would continue, and that the report would be due by May 17. The survey commission was also expanded by two advocates appointed by the Varanasi court.
