PRAYAGRAJ: The process of restoring and revamping the facilities for the devotees at 12 Madhav temples of the Sangam City is on the cards. An ambitious project has been proposed by the tourism department worth Rs 13 cores which would be completed before Mahakumbh 2025.
As per the proposal, a specialised firm would be roped in, which will undertake the restoration work of these important temples of the city based on the detailed project report (DPR) being prepared by the department.
These ancient temples would be repaired as per the design and architecture mentioned in the religious texts. Besides, arrangements will be made for devotees like potable water, toilets, shade and seating arrangements in every temple. Along with this, the approach roads will also be repaired so that devotees can get an easy access to these 12 temples which find mention in ancient texts.
“We are preparing the DPR for the restoration of these temples, which has vast potential of not only enhancing the tourism activity in the city but is also associated with the religious sentiments of the devotees coming to the city for Magh Mela, Kumbh and Maha Kumbh”, said tourism officer, Prayagraj, Aparajita Singh. It is a religious belief that after the creation of the universe, Lord Brahma established the Dwadash (12) Madhav in Prayagraj. It is believed that to get the blessings of Kalpavas and holy dip in Sangam at Prayagraj is obtained only after circumambulation of these 12 Madhav temples.
In ‘Treta Yuga‘, under the leadership of Maharishi Bharadwaj, the circumambulation of the 12 Madhav was done but in due course of time, the practice steadily took a back seat.
The temples of Dwadash Madhav were damaged during the Mughal and British rule. After the country got Independence, Saint Prabhudutt Brahmachari started the circumambulation in the month of Magh in 1961 along with Shankaracharya Niranjan Devtirtha, Dharmasamrat Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj after searching for the Dwadash Madhav. The practice ceased to exist in 1987.
However, in the year 1991, Swami Harichaitanya Brahmachari of Tikar Mafi Peeth (Jhunsi) started the ‘parikrama’ (circumambulation) but the same was discontinued in a few years because of ignorance from other religious bodies and administration.
In Kumbh 2019, the ‘parikrama’ was resumed with the efforts of general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad Mahant Hari Giri, the practice which is continuing till date. Madhav temples are located at various localities of the city including Veni Madhav temple of Daraganj (this temple is considered to be deity of Prayagraj). Likewise, Akshayavat Madhav is considered to be situated in the middle of river Ganga-Yamuna.
Both Anant Madhav and Asi Madhav Nagvasuki temple are in Daraganj. Manohar Madhav is located in Johnston locality, Bindu Madhav is situated near Draupadi Ghat, Sri Aadi Madhav is located in the form of water in the confluence of two rivers. Chakra Madhav is located in Arail, Srigada Madhav is located near Cheoki railway station and Padma Madhav Vikar is located in Deoria village. Sankathar Madhav is the Sandhyavat, Jhunsi, Shankh Madhav is located in the Munshi’s garden in Chhatnag, informed Harichaitanya Brahmachari.
As per the proposal, a specialised firm would be roped in, which will undertake the restoration work of these important temples of the city based on the detailed project report (DPR) being prepared by the department.
These ancient temples would be repaired as per the design and architecture mentioned in the religious texts. Besides, arrangements will be made for devotees like potable water, toilets, shade and seating arrangements in every temple. Along with this, the approach roads will also be repaired so that devotees can get an easy access to these 12 temples which find mention in ancient texts.
“We are preparing the DPR for the restoration of these temples, which has vast potential of not only enhancing the tourism activity in the city but is also associated with the religious sentiments of the devotees coming to the city for Magh Mela, Kumbh and Maha Kumbh”, said tourism officer, Prayagraj, Aparajita Singh. It is a religious belief that after the creation of the universe, Lord Brahma established the Dwadash (12) Madhav in Prayagraj. It is believed that to get the blessings of Kalpavas and holy dip in Sangam at Prayagraj is obtained only after circumambulation of these 12 Madhav temples.
In ‘Treta Yuga‘, under the leadership of Maharishi Bharadwaj, the circumambulation of the 12 Madhav was done but in due course of time, the practice steadily took a back seat.
The temples of Dwadash Madhav were damaged during the Mughal and British rule. After the country got Independence, Saint Prabhudutt Brahmachari started the circumambulation in the month of Magh in 1961 along with Shankaracharya Niranjan Devtirtha, Dharmasamrat Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj after searching for the Dwadash Madhav. The practice ceased to exist in 1987.
However, in the year 1991, Swami Harichaitanya Brahmachari of Tikar Mafi Peeth (Jhunsi) started the ‘parikrama’ (circumambulation) but the same was discontinued in a few years because of ignorance from other religious bodies and administration.
In Kumbh 2019, the ‘parikrama’ was resumed with the efforts of general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad Mahant Hari Giri, the practice which is continuing till date. Madhav temples are located at various localities of the city including Veni Madhav temple of Daraganj (this temple is considered to be deity of Prayagraj). Likewise, Akshayavat Madhav is considered to be situated in the middle of river Ganga-Yamuna.
Both Anant Madhav and Asi Madhav Nagvasuki temple are in Daraganj. Manohar Madhav is located in Johnston locality, Bindu Madhav is situated near Draupadi Ghat, Sri Aadi Madhav is located in the form of water in the confluence of two rivers. Chakra Madhav is located in Arail, Srigada Madhav is located near Cheoki railway station and Padma Madhav Vikar is located in Deoria village. Sankathar Madhav is the Sandhyavat, Jhunsi, Shankh Madhav is located in the Munshi’s garden in Chhatnag, informed Harichaitanya Brahmachari.