Maa Shringar Gauri temple in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi complex opened for annual Chaitra Navratri darshan with 2 km queues of devoted women seeking Maa’s blessings.
Rakhi Singh, Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas, Laxmi Devi, and Rekha Pathak offered prayers, raising “Free Gyanvapi” slogans. They seek court recognition of the temple beneath the mosque structure.
Regular worship was banned post-Babri demolition, citing security. Court-ordered survey found Shivling claimed by Hindus; the Muslim side calls it a fountain. Opens only on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri.
Australian devotee Maria joined vermillion-sindoor rituals amid conch shells, damru beats. Tight security managed massive footfall for the 25-minute sacred worship of damaged ancient stones.
Post-1993 restrictions highlight ongoing legal battle for worship rights. Devotees apply chandan and chant mantras to preserve Shringar Gauri’s sanctity, despite restricted access.
Varanasi’s Shringar Gauri darshan unites Hindu women worldwide, demanding freedom for the Gyanvapi temple, where annual Navratri worship reaffirms Kashi’s unbreakable Sanatana spirit against imposed restrictions.
