Varanasi is the oldest city, where Lord Vishwanath lives, and the Ganges humbly brushes his feet. A mosque sits on the grounds of Lord Vishwanath's temple, and it is thought to have been built with temple materials. Notably, the gigantic Nandi facing the mosque calls into question the temple's existence.
The court has granted permission for prayer within the grounds of the knowing mosque, also known as Vyas Ji's chamber. Muslims dispute, alleging Vyas Ji's family never worshipped here, although Hindus claim a tradition that lasted until 1993. According to historical sources, the worship began with Satyanand Vyas in 1551 and continued through generations until Rajkumari's sons in 1993.
In 1930, Bejanath Vyas presided over the Vyas Peeth. Worship ended in 1993 after Rajkumari's sons carried on the practice. Following the death of Rajkumari's son Somnath Vyas in 1920, his daughter Usha Rani's son Shailendra Kumar requested permission to worship, which was eventually granted by the court.
Prior to this, the Archaeological Survey of India's assessment identified items such as Vishnu and Ganesha statues, as well as a Shiva Linga within the mosque. The report also provides structural evidence and 34 proofs that show changes throughout Aurangzeb's reign.
Finally, the current discussion centers on the temple and mosque's linked histories, emphasizing Varanasi's diverse cultural and religious narratives.
