Golden kalash atop historic temple damaged after monkeys shake it
What's the story
A group of monkeys destroyed the golden kalash of the Baikuntheshwar Mahadev section of the Kashi Vishwanath temple on Tuesday. According to TOI, during the "Mangla Aarti" on Tuesday morning, the monkeys climbed onto the temple structure and shook it vigorously. The unexpected act damaged a golden Kalash (spire) on top of the Baikuntheshwar Mahadev section of the temple. Luckily, no devotees or staff were present then, so no one was injured.
Historical significance
Gold plating donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh
The golden "Kalash" that was damaged by the monkeys wasn't just a decorative piece; it also carried enormous historical significance. The gold used for plating parts of the temple, including its domes, was donated in the 18th century by Punjab's Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The present structure of the temple was also built in the 18th century by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.
Quick response
Temple administration acts swiftly to secure and repair
After the incident, the temple administration swung into action to secure the damaged Kalash. The CEO of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, confirmed that "the temple administration has engaged experts and artisans for necessary repairs which began on Wednesday." He added that steps are being taken to check monkey disturbances and prevent such incidents. The temple administration has also requested the help of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) to deal with the menace of monkeys at Kashi Vishwanath Dham.