Taking up the cause of restoration of demolished temples in Jaipur, former Olympian Gopal Saini would run holding ‘holy fire’ on Monday evening.
Saini will start his run from Sanganeri Gate and after traversing various areas of the walled city conclude his run at the spot where 250-year-old Rojgareshwar Mahadev temple once stood at Chhoti Chaupar.
After Saini’s run, a Maha Arti will be held at the venue.
The event is being organised jointly by a Hindu front, Mandir Sanrakshan Samiti (MSS) and Rajasthan Shopkeepers Mahasangh, said Ranjeet Singh, spokesperson of the samiti.
The evening arti (prayer) at the spot was started by the samiti last week and now the traders and shopkeepers have also extended their support to the cause.
Rojgareshwar Mahadev, along with a dozen more temples, was demolished during construction of the Jaipur metro rail.
The RSS-backed Mandir Bachao Sangharsh Samiti (MBSS) was upset over demolition of more than 80 temples in the city over a period of last one year. The saffron body woke up to the issue when Rojgareshwar Mahadev temple at Chhoti Chaupar was demolished in June this year. The samiti had observed a two-hour chakka jam (taffic halt) on July 9 and warned the government for not demolishing more temples.
Despite several rounds of talks between the samiti and the government, there has been no positive outcome over restoration of some of the demolished temples. Both the samitis had also appealed people to tie Raksha sutras to deities in temples on the festival of Rakshabandhan for protection of the temples. Singh said in the Maha Arti on Monday would be attended by people from all walks of life including the shopkeepers of the walled city.
{{/usCountry}}Despite several rounds of talks between the samiti and the government, there has been no positive outcome over restoration of some of the demolished temples. Both the samitis had also appealed people to tie Raksha sutras to deities in temples on the festival of Rakshabandhan for protection of the temples. Singh said in the Maha Arti on Monday would be attended by people from all walks of life including the shopkeepers of the walled city.
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