Members Of A Fringe Group Enter Taj Mahal, Claim They Came To Offer Prayers At Tejo Mahalaya Temple

There is a long-running conspiracy theory that the Taj Mahal in Agra was built over a Hindu temple. According to the proponents of the conspiracy theory, it was originally Tejo Mahalaya, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Like any other conspiracy theories, this too has no scientific or historic backing as proof, but those who propagate this are fully convinced about their claims.

PTI

This is despite the then Union Culture minister Mahesh Sharma, in 2015, telling the parliament that the government had not found any evidence that the Taj Mahal was a Hindu temple.

The Archaeological Survey of India had earlier dismissed the claims that the 17th-century Mughal monument is a Shiva temple.

This has however not stopped people from making absurd claims about one of India's most famous structures, every now and then.

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The Taj witnessed yet another such incident a couple of days ago when members of a right-wing fringe group tried to enter the premises.

Four members of Hindu Jagran Manch on Sunday allegedly entered the Taj complex to 'offer prayers' to Lord Shiva.

In a video posted online, Gaurav Thakur, a local leader of the outfit can be seen sitting on a bench on the Taj compound with his eyes closed while another man stands behind him holding a saffron flag, while another man is recording the act on his phone.

Thakur claimed that he sprinkled Ganga water at the Taj which "was originally Tejo Mahalaya ¡ª a Shiva temple" adding that he had prayed there at least five times in the past.

The CISF which detained them later let the trio off after interrogation and no charges have been filed yet.

Though this is not the first time Right Wing groups have made such claims and tried to offer prayers there; Sunday's incident comes at a time when there is a renewed call to claim it for Hindus.

Ever since the Supreme Court verdict in the Babri Masjid case awarded the land to Hindus, several groups and leaders have claimed that other such contested lands including that of Taj, should be handed over to Hindus.

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In July, controversial BJP leader Kapil Mishra had claimed that all scientific evidence prove that Taj Mahal is Tejo Mahalaya, an ancient Hindu Vedic temple, exists.

Recently after the Yogi Government renamed the Mughal Museum in Agra after Shivaji, BJP leader Bhole Singh, a member of UP Go-Seva Ayog had demanded that 'Taj Mahal' should be declared 'Tejolay' without delay.