A group of women perform pooja in Taj Mahal mosque; video goes viral

Agra: A group of women activists from right wing organizations performed pooja in the mosque inside Taj Mahal, on saturday to "prove" that the historical monument constructed by mughals was actually a shiva temple.

After many right wing activists have claimed that the Taj Mahal was originally a Shiva temple, this pooja was organised to claim that if muslims can offer namaz here hindus too can perform their pooja in their "Tejo Mahalaya."

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The controversy over Taj Mahal's history surfaced after Purushottam Nagesh Oak, in his book 'Taj Mahal: The True Story', alleged that the Taj Mahal was originally a Shiva temple and a Rajput palace named Tejo Mahalaya, which was seized by Shah Jahan and adopted as a tomb. He also claimed that the temple was built by Indian King Jai Singh I.

The pooja performed on Tuesday even after Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ban, was a reprisal to show the religious significance of the place for hindus. The ASI bans muslims from offering namaz at Taj Mahal except on Fridays.

One of the women activists who performed pooja in the mosque, Meena Devi Diwakar-The district president of Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad-said, "If Muslims are being allowed to offer namaz here on all the days, then even we can do our puja at our Tejo Mahalaya."

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She also lit "dhoop bati" and poured "ganga jal" inside the mosque premises. They concluded pooja after chanting "Om Namah Shivay."

The activist not only claimed that the Tejo Mahalaya had been polluted by few people but also that she will purify it with "Gangajal."

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Commandant, Brajj Bhushan said that they were not aware of this incident, as the force is not allowed inside the mosque.

However, ASI staff were deployed to the spot immediately, but nothing like ‘dhoopbatti’ or anything was found there. A CCTV footage will be probed to look into the matter and if found guilty strict actions will be taken against right wing activists.

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