Stir against demolition of statues at Manikarnika

WITH the restoration and development work at the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi gaining momentum, Kashi locals are accusing the district administration of desecration of idols inside some of the structures demolished.

- NAMITA BAJPAI @Lucknow

The administration, however, denied the charges, explaining that the stone pieces containing idols carved on them, being shown with false claims, were not of deities but the artwork on the walls of the structure known as Madhi (platform). The administration said that those structures, including an image of Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who is credited with rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and restoring the Manikarnika Ghat in the 18th century, were preserved to be made a part of the wall