Hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered at the historic Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Sunday to perform religious rituals after a recent High Court order permitted daily worship at the site. The development marked a significant shift in the decades-old arrangement governing access to the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex. Devotees arrived in large numbers early in the morning, with religious ceremonies beginning under tight security arrangements put in place by local authorities to maintain law and order in the sensitive area.

The change followed a directive issued by the Archaeological Survey of India after the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed a 2003 arrangement that had allowed Hindu worship only on Tuesdays while permitting Friday prayers for the Muslim community. In its ruling, the court recognized the site as an 11th-century Sanskrit learning center and a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati. Acting on the court’s decision, the ASI issued fresh guidelines granting unrestricted access to the Hindu community for daily worship and learning activities throughout the year.

Religious rituals at the complex officially commenced at 6 am on Sunday, with Vedic priests leading sacred ceremonies, including fire offerings and prayers accompanied by chants of ancient mantras. Visuals from the site showed devotees carrying a symbolic idol of Goddess Vagdevi into the premises while slogans praising King Bhoj and the deity echoed across the monument. The atmosphere at the complex reflected both religious devotion and celebration among those who viewed the court order as a major cultural and spiritual milestone.

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Representatives associated with the Bhoj Utsav Samiti described the event as a revival of historical and cultural heritage linked to the Sanatan tradition. Organizers said the commencement of regular worship at Bhojshala represented the culmination of a long legal and religious struggle spanning several decades. A large number of local residents and visitors participated in the ceremonies, while authorities anticipated another major gathering during the evening prayer session scheduled later in the day.

The Bhojshala complex has remained a subject of dispute for years because of competing religious claims over the site. Historians and local groups have long debated its origins and usage, with some identifying it as a temple and ancient educational center built during the rule of King Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty, while others have linked it to Islamic religious practices associated with the Kamal Maula Mosque. The matter has periodically led to legal and administrative interventions aimed at maintaining communal harmony and regulating access.

Following the latest court order, district authorities and police personnel remained on high alert across the Dhar district to prevent any untoward incidents or spread of misinformation. Security arrangements were tightened around the monument, and officials urged people to maintain peace while respecting the law. The ASI continues to oversee preservation and management of the historical structure, while the High Court has also directed the state government to consider alternative land arrangements for the Muslim community as part of efforts to address concerns arising from the ruling.

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