Keshav Rai buried under the steps of mosque, claims plaintiff

2023.05.09 (Vrindavan Today News): In a recent development in the ongoing Shri Krishna Janmasthan – Shahi Idgah Maszid case concerning the birthplace of Shri Krishna in Mathura, a special figure in the shape of a flower circle has been discovered on one or two steps of Begum Sahiba Mosque. There are claims that the deities of Ram-Ram and Baichhor, belonging to Thakur Keshavrai, may be buried under these steps. The suit claimed that “jewel studded deities” from Mathura’s Keshav Dev temple were buried under the staircase of the Agra’s Begum Sahiba mosque by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, when he destroyed the temple of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi.

According to Mahendra Pratap Singh, President of the party, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nyas, Aurangzeb had destroyed the temple built by Raja Veer Singh Bundela at the birthplace of Shri Krishna in 1670. The original deities were then taken to Agra and allegedly buried under the steps of Begum Sahiba Masjid. He claims that this is a historical fact that cannot be denied. There are about ten steps to reach the mosque. The steps under which the deities were buried have a flower-shaped design on one or two of them, according to Mahendra Singh. This is not something that is not typically found in mosques. There is concern that this design may be a special symbol for identification and that there may be the idols of Ram-Ram and Baichhor beneath it.

Singh’s claims have led to an increase in security around the mosque, which is currently under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. Singh has closely studied the stairs in question and prepared a video to support his claim. The decision on whether the idols of Thakur Keshavrai are indeed buried under the mosque will be made by the Civil Judge Senior Division Fast Track Court. The order has been reserved and is expected to be announced in two days.

In other related news, the High Court is expected to give its verdict on Monday on a petition filed by advocate Ranjana Agnihotri to consolidate all the claims related to the birthplace of Shri Krishna. Thirteen claims are currently being heard in different courts of Mathura, with most of them in the court of Civil Judge Senior Division. Agnihotri filed the petition to unite all the cases in the High Court.