Ajmer dargah-Mahadev temple Debate:  A controversy has arisen over the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. A petition filed by Hindu Sena national president Vishnu Gupta claimed that earlier there was a temple of Sankat Mochan Mahadev at the dargah site. This petition has been accepted by the Ajmer Civil Court, after which the debate on this matter has intensified. The court has issued a notice to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Dargah Committee and Archaeological Department (ASI) and sought a reply.

The petition cites a particular book called "Ajmer Historical and Descriptive". It was written in 1911 by Harbilas Sharda, a retired judge. It is mentioned in the book that where the dargah is located today, earlier a Brahmin couple used to worship in the temple of Sankat Mochan Mahadev. The petition states that the tall doors and other structures present in the dargah are clear evidence of the architecture of the temple.

Claims to be remains of temple

The petitioner has given three major arguments while analysing the structure of the Dargah.

Carving of Buland Darwaza : It is claimed that the carving of the door is in the style of Hindu temples.

Dome structure : It is said that the dome of the dargah also indicates that it has been built on the remains of an old temple.

Source of water : The petitioner also said that there is a water source or spring near Shiva temples and there is a source of water near the dargah as well.

Dargah committee responded

The Dargah Committee and Khwaja Saheb's descendant Nasiruddin Chishti have reacted sharply on this issue. He said that this controversy is a threat to the unity of the country. Nasiruddin said, "Hindu kings have also expressed their faith in Ajmer Dargah. The Katra here was gifted by the Maharaja of Jaipur. Such claims are an attempt to divide the country."

Historical Truth and Sufi Tradition

Vishnu Gupta claims that before Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti came to India, this place was a Shiva temple. Quoting the book of Harbilas Sharda, he said that "earlier, Mahadev was smeared with sandalwood and water was poured on him." At the same time, the Dargah Committee says that people of every religion who have faith in Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti come here and it is wrong to make it the center of religious controversy.

Demand for survey from Archaeological Department

The petition has demanded the Archaeological Department to conduct a survey of the Dargah site to prove whether there was a temple there earlier or not. The next hearing of the case will be on September 20. This controversy has sparked a deep debate in religious and cultural circles, raising concerns about communal harmony.