Tejo Mahalaya a concocted, self-built story, Central government tells Agra court

In response to a suit filed in an Agra court by six advocates claiming that Taj Mahal is Tejo Mahalaya Temple palace, the Central government has stated that the claim is “concocted” and “self-built”..The Centre has also stated in its response that Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Arjumand Bano Begum known by the name Mumtaz..Six lawyers had filed a suit in the Court of Civil Judge, Agra contending that Taj Mahal is a temple palace ‘Tejo Mahalaya’ and the seat of Lord Agreshwar Mahadev Naagnatheshwar and the property belongs to the diety..They had stated that the suit is being filed to assert the right of ‘Darshan’, ‘Pooja’ and performance of all the rituals..“That the “Agreshwar Mahadev Naagnatheshwar” temple in the present form was constructed by Raja Paramardi Dev in (1212 Twelve Hundred Twelve) ‘Vikram Samvat’ i.e. 1155-56 (Eleven Hundred Fifty Five-Fifty Six) AD and the temple since then was named “Tejomahalaya” with Lord “Shri Agreshwar Mahadev Naagnatheshwar Virajmaan” as the “Deity” and is being worshiped in His manifest form of ‘Shivlinga’. The devotees while visiting the place religiously perambulated the Deity, a practice which continues till date..That the property in suit later came under control and management of ‘Raja Maan Singh’, the then Maharaja of Jaipur. In 17th (Seventeenth) Century the property in suit was being held and managed by ‘Raja Jai Singh’, the grandson of ‘Raja Maan Singh’, on behalf of the Deity and the devotees.”.The plaintiffs had further claimed that Mughal ruler Shah Jahan had usurped the said Tejo Mahalaya’ palace from ‘Raja Jai Singh’ for converting the same into a memorial of his late wife, Mumtaz..The plaintiffs had also opposed Muslims offering Namaz within the property..The Centre in its response has, however, stated that the structure was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum known as Mumtaz..Calling the plaintiff’s version a concocted, self-built story, the counter says:.“The concocted and self-built story of the plaintiffs has no legs to stand as stated by the plaintiffs that the suit property was usurped and taken by the King Shah Jahan from Raja Jai singh since as per the records available, the said property was taken in lieu/ exchange of other properties given to the Raja in turn…”.The Centre has also stated that Muslims are offering Namaz in a mosque nearby which is separate from Taj Mahal and that the plaintiffs have approached the court without clean hands and with the attempt to let down the image of the nation and public at large..Click here to download the Bar & Bench Android App