In a landmark decision by the district and session court in Varanasi, regular worship has resumed at the workshop of Vyasa Ji in Gyanvapi. This revival echoes the practices that prevailed before 1993. Now, the Vyasa family will once again perform rituals in the workshop, where prior to 1993, it was the Somnath Vyasa family engaging in devotional activities.
Rediscovering Vyasa Ji’s Workshop in Gyanvapi
Situated on the ground floor in Gyanvapi, the workshop boasts Hindu symbols like Swastika, Lotus, and Om, deeply connected to the Hindu faith. Last year, on September 25th, a petition was filed by the Vyasa family seeking permission for worship in the workshop. Following this, an investigation took place as part of the ASI survey, revealing evidence of a temple inside the workshop. Subsequently, the court granted permission for worship in Vyasa Ji’s workshop. Dr. Ajay Krishna Vishwesh, the judge at the district court, has given the administration a week to facilitate worship in Vyasa Ji’s workshop.
Understanding Vyasa Ji’s Workshop
Before 1993, the Vyasa family, through their descendant Ashutosh Vyasa, reveals that there are ten workshops within Gyanvapi. Vyasa Ji’s workshop is located to the south within Gyanvapi, where two out of the ten workshops have been opened. According to court records, Vyasa Ji’s workshop stands directly in front of the Nandi idol, a sacred place where the Vyasa family has performed worship in the Shaiv tradition for 400 years. Even during the British era, the Vyasa family retained control over the workshop after winning a legal battle.
The Ceasing of Worship: A Political Directive
Ashutosh Vyasa explains that in 1993, during the tenure of the Samajwadi Party government with Mulayam Singh Yadav as the Chief Minister, Vyasa Ji’s workshop was closed and barricaded. This was done to prevent any communal tensions related to the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi case. Initially, temporary barricades were set up, and later, the workshop was permanently closed. Since then, worship has been prohibited.
Ashutosh Vyasa recalls, “Earlier, our family members used to perform worship and rituals. We used to go inside every year. Inside, there is the Ramcharitmanas in Gyanvapi, along with bamboo sticks. It is quite dark inside.” He also mentions the presence of several Shiva Lingams and broken Nandi idols inside. The sculptures include depictions of Lotus, Swastika, and Om on the pillars. Before 1993, ablution rituals and Rudrabhishek were performed, along with regular prayers and hymns conducted three times a day.
Legal Petition and Court’s Verdict
On September 25, 2023, Shailendra Thakur Pathak, a member of the Vyasa family, filed a plea to restart worship in Vyasa Ji’s workshop. Being a direct descendant of the Vyasa family, Pathak requested the court to appoint a receiver to control the worship activities in the workshop and manage its affairs. It was argued that regular worship of the deities present in the workshop was essential. The survey also revealed symbols and evidence of a temple connected to Hinduism. Following this, on January 17, 2024, the court appointed a receiver but did not pass any orders related to worship. After hearing both sides on January 31, the court granted permission to the Hindu side for worship in Vyasa Ji’s workshop.
Vyasa Family’s Response to the Court’s Verdict
Ashutosh Vyasa expressed immense happiness at the court’s decision, stating that the 400-year wait had finally ended. He mentioned, “This is the sacrifice of our ancestors, who have been fighting for 400 years. The workshop had its rights. Worship used to happen here before 1993.”
In the wake of the court’s decision on January 31, the administration implemented the order after an 11-hour meeting, and the Deepam (lighting of lamps) ceremony took place in Vyasa Ji’s workshop around 2:30 AM. This marked the first time in 31 years that lamps were lit inside the workshop. From February 1st onwards, regular worship has resumed, bringing back the spiritual vibrancy that was absent for over three decades.
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