Madhya Pradesh CM visits Bhojshala after court recognises site as temple

After the Madhya Pradesh High Court recognised Bhojshala as a temple, CM Mohan Yadav visited the historic site in Dhar and offered prayers, marking a significant moment in the centuries-old dispute.

Post Published By: Donika Singh

Updated : 25 May 2026, 4:22 PM IST

MP CM Mohan Yadav offers prayers at Bhojshala (Img: Internet)

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited the historic Bhojshala complex in Dhar district on Monday, days after the Madhya Pradesh High Court recognised the site as a temple. His visit is being described as historically significant, with supporters claiming that no chief minister had offered prayers at the site in more than seven centuries.

High Court Declares Bhojshala a Temple

The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently ruled in favour of Hindu petitioners in the long-standing Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute. The judgment was delivered by Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi after extensive hearings involving multiple petitions and legal claims linked to the monument.

The dispute had witnessed claims from Hindu, Muslim and Jain communities regarding worship rights and the historical identity of the structure. The court examined historical documents, records and archaeological evidence before delivering its verdict.

Religious Rituals Mark the Occasion

During his visit, CM Yadav offered prayers and recited Saraswati Vandana inside the Bhojshala premises, which many devotees consider the abode of Maa Vagdevi. Members of the Sakal Hindu Samaj also organised a Chhappan Bhog ritual at the site. According to devotees present there, the ritual was conducted after a gap of 721 years.

Community representatives also presented the chief minister with a symbolic emblem of Maa Vagdevi during the ceremony.

Tourism Plans for Dhar District

Speaking during the visit, CM Yadav said the state government would work towards developing Dhar into a major tourism destination in Madhya Pradesh. He stated that tourism growth could generate employment opportunities for local residents and improve regional development.

The chief minister also mentioned efforts to bring back the statue of Maa Vagdevi, which is currently housed in a museum in London.

ASI Report Played Key Role

A major factor in the court proceedings was the Archaeological Survey of India’s scientific survey report. The ASI submitted a detailed report of more than 2,000 pages, stating that a structure from the Parmar period existed at the site before the mosque was built. The report also noted that parts of the current structure appeared to contain materials from an earlier temple.