Railways issue order to relocate temple in Agra; devotees, religious groups irked

The Railway Authorities have asked the Chamunda Devi Mandir committee to relocate their premises from its current location within the next 10 days.

A displacement order issued by the railway authorities in Agra to relocate a temple situated near the Raja Ki Mandi railway station has stirred up the sentiments of devotees, religious outfits and Hindu groups of the city against the authorities.

As per the order, the Railway Authorities have asked the Chamunda Devi Mandir committee to relocate their premises from their current location within the next 10 days. The temple which has existed for many many years at its present location, which touches the bounds of Raja Ki Mandi Railway station, is a major religious place for the city residents.

The temple, which also has many legends associated with it, is said to have existed since the days of British rule in India. Some say that British authorities also tried to displace the temple but couldn’t do so and hence the railway line had to be diverted around its premises.

Previously, a similar notice was sent to the Mandir management committee in 2011 citing the temple to be an encroachment of the land owned by railway department.

The management committee had responded to the notice, as a result of which a committee was formed that concluded that the temple had existed before the railway line was laid, thereby clearing it of encroachment allegations.

The head priest of the temple, Shri Nandagiri Maharaj, has stated that even after being cleared, railway authorities have continued to send notices to the temple committee in order to hurt the religious sentiments of devotees. He also said that he would request Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take note of the matter and solve the problem as religious sentiments are involved.

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