The judgment delivered by the Patna High Court is pivotal as it resolves the longstanding legal contention regarding the governance of the Vishnupad Temple, situated in Gaya, Bihar. This dispute, which involved local priests and the Bihar State Board of Religious Trust (BSBRT), has been conclusively settled with the court’s declaration that the temple, a crucial site for the Shraddha rituals of Hindus, is a public religious entity and not the private domain of the Gayawals Brahmins, who are the temple’s customary priests.
The Patna High Court, led by a single bench of Justice Sunil Dutta Mishra, has declared the ancient Vishnupad Temple in Gaya as a public religious trust, resolving a prolonged legal battle over its ownership. This decision refutes the claims of the Gayawal Brahmins, who contended that the temple was their private property.
The Vishnupad Temple, steeped in centuries of history and religious significance, has been a focal point of devotion and pilgrimage for Hindus. The temple’s name, ‘Vishnupad’, is derived from the sacred footprints of Lord Vishnu, which are enshrined within its premises. According to religious texts like the Agni Puran and Vayu Puran, the temple’s origins are deeply intertwined with Hindu mythology and the rituals of ‘shraadh’, performed here to honor ancestors.
The legal dispute traces back to 1977 when the Gayawal Pandas, along with Vishnupad Bhagwan (represented by a next friend), filed a suit to declare the temple a private trust under their control. This move was initially successful in 1993 but was later overturned in 2020, leading to the second appeal in the High Court.
Historically, the temple has undergone several transformations. The current structure, made of stone, was constructed by Rani Ahilya Bai, a prominent 18th-century figure known for her contributions to numerous Hindu temples across India. This reconstruction was a significant turning point in the temple’s history, as it was not solely for the Gayawal Brahmins but for the broader Hindu community.
The High Court, in its judgment, delved into the temple’s historical and religious context. It noted that the temple, beyond its architectural grandeur, has been a site of immense religious importance, attracting devotees from across the nation. The court emphasized that Rani Ahilya Bai’s involvement in the temple’s reconstruction was a testament to its public character, as she did not retain any private interest in the temple after its construction.
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Justice Sunil Dutta Mishra, said while dismissing the second appeal filed on behalf of a group of Gayawal Pandas,
“Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances particularly the origin of temple, the right exercised by the devotee with regard to worship, nature and extent of gift/contribution made by the public and the dictum laid down in the aforesaid decisions, there is hardly any room for doubt that Vishnupad temple is a religious public trust and not a private property of the Gayawals Brahmins,”
Referencing the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya Verdict on faith and belief, the High Court acknowledged the genuine belief of worshippers in the temple’s sanctity. The court upheld the first appellate court’s findings, which concluded that the Gayawal Brahmins could not prove their exclusive rights over the temple.
In conclusion, the High Court’s decision not only clarifies the legal status of the Vishnupad Temple but also highlights its historical and cultural significance. By affirming the temple as a public trust, the judgment ensures its continued preservation and accessibility for all devotees, honoring its rich heritage as a cornerstone of Hindu faith and tradition.
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