MP High Court Declares Bhojshala a Temple

Bhopal, May 15, 2026 In a significant verdict on the long-standing Bhojshala dispute in Dhar, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that Bhojshala is a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and upheld the right of Hindus to worship at the site. The court also cancelled the 2003 arrangement that allowed Friday namaz at the complex.

The judgment was based on historical and archaeological findings linked to the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex. The court further advised the government and the Archaeological Survey of India to explore the revival of Sanskrit education at the site and examine efforts to bring back the Vagdevi idol believed to be in London. For years, Hindus have regarded Bhojshala as an ancient Saraswati temple and a center of learning associated with Raja Bhoj, while Muslims identified it as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

The issue remained sensitive due to the shared-use arrangement introduced in 2003, which permitted Hindu worship on Tuesdays and Muslim prayers on Fridays. The verdict is being seen as a major development in the historic dispute and is likely to have wider legal and social implications. Reports suggest that the Muslim side may challenge the decision in the Supreme Court in the coming days.