TAJ MAHAL, WAS IT SHIV MANDIR BEFORE?

Shiv Sainiks object to Chadarposhi at Taj Mahal
Saturday August 26 2006 00:00 IST

UNI

AGRA: Activists of the right-wing Shiv Sena have raised objections to plans to observe the Urs of 17th century Mughal Emperor Shahjahan at the Taj Mahal, as well as to moves by a Raza Committee to place a shroud over his grave during a ceremony called 'Chadarposhi'.

The Shiv Sena is of the view that no such ceremony should take place at the venue as it was originally the site of a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and only milk should be offered.

The President of the Roza Committee, Tahiruddin Tahir, has claimed that the Chadarposhi ceremony has been going on for decades. He also disclosed that every year, the length of the sheet is increased by 10 metres and this year it is 120 metres.

"I will be covering the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan at an Urs. This has been the practice for the past many decades from my forefathers' time. This time the sheet is about 120 meters. The name of offering the sheet has also been changed unlike the earlier occasions when they were offered by my forefathers' names. This time it is named as the Hindustani Satrangi Chaddar to symbolise communal harmony," said Tahir.

"Previously, at the place of Taj Mahal, there was a Shiv Mandir and in Shiv Mandir we do not offer sheet. We offer milk to lord Shiva. We have been protesting that in Taj Mahal sheet should not be offered but the police have stopped us from doing so," said Binu Lavaniya, President of the Agra chapter of the Shiv Sena.

He also said that as per the Supreme Court orders no political or religious activities can be held at Taj Mahal.

The District administration has deployed police to ensure security, peace and stop the Shiv Sainiks from entering the Taj Mahal.