A significant change occurred at the medieval Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, as hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered to start daily religious rituals. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently permitted the Hindu community to conduct puja at the site, following a court order recognizing the structure as an 11th-century Sanskrit learning center and a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati. This decision overturned a previous restriction that limited Hindu worship to Tuesdays and allowed Friday prayers for Muslims.
Religious ceremonies began at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, in adherence to the new guidelines. Vedic priests led the rituals, offering sacred fires and prayers while chanting ancient mantras. The monument, originally built by King Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty, resounded with cheers honoring the historical monarch and the deity, as devotees carried a symbolic image of Goddess Vagdevi into the premises.
The morning rituals included a grand prayer ceremony that attracted a large number of locals and visitors. The event was praised by the Bhoj Utsav Samiti representatives as a revival of the Sanatan tradition and a significant step in preserving historical heritage. An evening prayer session is also expected to draw a massive crowd at 5:30 p.m., while security measures have been heightened in Dhar to maintain peace and curb misinformation.
