Two young men from a Hindu nationalist group poured Ganga water inside the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. They brought the sacred water in a bottle and performed the ritual within the Taj Mahal premises. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
The All India Hindu Mahasabha claimed that the men performed this act in what they refer to as the “Tejo Mahalaya” Shiva temple, arguing that the Taj Mahal is actually a Shiva temple. The video shows one of the men carrying the bottle on his shoulder, allegedly filled with Ganga water, as they proceeded to the main mausoleum and poured the water near the underground chamber.
Previous Incident with a Woman Carrying a Kanwar
A few days prior, a woman attempted to enter the Taj Mahal with a Kanwar, a traditional vessel for carrying sacred water, and demanded to perform a similar water-pouring ritual. The police intervened and stopped her.
Security Response
In the viral video, the young men are seen pouring water from the bottle near the underground chamber. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detained them and handed them over to the Tajganj police station. The All India Hindu Mahasabha reiterated that this act was a ritual offering (Jalabhishek) and maintained that the Taj Mahal is the “Tejo Mahalaya” Shiva temple. They have repeatedly requested permission to perform this ritual during the month of Shravan.
Assertions of Religious Significance
The All India Hindu Mahasabha claims that the water was part of a ritual known as “Dak Kanwar,” brought from Soron and poured in the “Tejo Mahalaya.” The group persistently asserts that the Taj Mahal is actually “Tejo Mahalaya” and has made several attempts to conduct religious activities there.
Official Statements
The national spokesperson of the All India Hindu Mahasabha stated that their members, Viresh and Shyam, brought the Kanwar from Soron and poured Ganga water in the “Tejo Mahalaya.” They claimed that performing this ritual is their birthright. Earlier, their member Meena Rathore was prevented from performing a similar ritual. Now, they assert that they have validated their claim by pouring Ganga water in the “Tejo Mahalaya.”
