The Archaeological survey of India (ASI) resumed its inspection of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi on Friday to ascertain whether it was built on top of a Hindu shrine. The top archaeology body filmed and photographed a trident (trishul), swastika, bell, and flower-like sign etched on the Gyanvapi complex’s walls and pillars.
The symbols on the walls, domes, and pillars were surveyed on the first day.
The building style and antiquity of each design were noted, and the survey included the formations engraved on the contested structure’s domes and pillars. The district authorities deployed a considerable number of security personnel to ensure peace and order near the Gyanvapi complex.
The survey took roughly seven hours on the first day, during which the ASI acquired the layout and pictures of the structures. The depth and height of various elements of the Gyanvapi complex were measured using dial test indicators placed on all four corners of the structure.
When the ASI team was united with the expert teams from IIT, a total of 41 participants formed a team that was divided into four teams to begin this survey.
On Saturday, the survey resumed for the second day in a row, with the Muslim side saying they will participate. The survey began at 9 a.m. today and will run until 12:30 p.m. It will resume at 2.30 p.m. and will continue until 5 p.m.
“The ASI did the videography yesterday.” There is a potential that the survey of underground places (tehkhana) will be conducted today. Various symbols can be seen on the structure. “All the idols that were submerged inside may be discovered using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR),” one of the petitioners was cited as saying by news agency ANI.
“The survey will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.” Yesterday was a great day for us to celebrate. The survey will now continue. “The Muslim side will work with us today,” she stated.
A Varanasi court on Friday granted the ASI an extension of four weeks to complete the scientific survey on the Gyanvapi mosque, which stands next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, according to news agency PTI.
The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the country’s top archaeology organization should conduct a “non-invasive” study of the Gyanvapi mosque. In the Allahabad High Court, the mosque committee contested the district court’s survey order.
The high court denied the mosque committee’s motion to stay the district court’s judgement for the ASI to conduct the survey to ascertain whether the mosque was built on a pre-existing temple on Thursday.
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