The petitioner had argued before the Allahabad High Court that many Hindu groups have been claiming that the Taj Mahal is an old Shiva Temple which was known as Tejo Mahalaya, a theory that was supported by many historians as well.
These claims has led to a situation where Hindus and Muslims are fighting with each other and therefore the controversy needs to be put to rest, it was contended.
Singh stated that there are 22 rooms situated in the upper and lower portion of the four-storied building of the Taj Mahal that are permanently locked and historians like PN Oak and many Hindu worshippers believe that a Shiva temple lies in those rooms.
This is not the first time that such claims regarding the “Tejo Mahalaya” have surfaced before the courts. In response to a suit filed in Agra by six advocates claiming that the Taj Mahal is Tejo Mahalaya Temple palace, the Central government in 2017 stated that the claim is “concocted” and “self-built”.
Source: Barandbench
