News for 'Archaeological Survey of India'

TN temple takeover by ASI: Court issues notice to govt on plea

TN temple takeover by ASI: Court issues notice to govt on plea

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre, Tamil Nadu government, and others regarding a plea for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take over the Thirupparankundram temple and ensure daily lamp lighting on a stone pillar.

10 Most-Visited Monuments Of India

10 Most-Visited Monuments Of India

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Learn about the historical spots in India most visited by domestic tourists.

Red Fort 4th Most Visited Tourist Attraction

Red Fort 4th Most Visited Tourist Attraction

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Red Fort attracted 5 per cent of domestic tourists in FY25.

8 Monuments Most Visited By Foreign Tourists

8 Monuments Most Visited By Foreign Tourists

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Which were the most visited ASI sites by foreign tourists in 2024-2025 in India?

Bhojshala sees peace as Hindus perform puja, Muslim offer namaaz

Bhojshala sees peace as Hindus perform puja, Muslim offer namaaz

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Peace prevailed at the disputed 11th-century Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Friday as Hindus performed puja to mark Basant Panchami festival while Muslims offered namaaz within the same premises but at a different location.

US to return 3 ancient sculptures taken illegally from Indian temples

US to return 3 ancient sculptures taken illegally from Indian temples

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The Smithsonian will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India after evidence showed they were illegally removed from Tamil Nadu temples in the 1950s

'Hinduism Is A Large-Hearted Religion'

'Hinduism Is A Large-Hearted Religion'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

'If at all human beings require a religion, the future religion will be Hinduism.'

3 women booked over namaaz inside historic Shaniwar Wada fort in Pune

3 women booked over namaaz inside historic Shaniwar Wada fort in Pune

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

According to the Pune city police, the FIR has been filed under provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, for allegedly violating restrictions applicable to protected monuments.

'Go and ask the deity': SC rejects plea for restoring Vishnu idol in Khajuraho

'Go and ask the deity': SC rejects plea for restoring Vishnu idol in Khajuraho

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Terming the plea as a "publicity interest litigation", the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.

SC allows Hindus, Muslims to offer prayers at MP's Bhojshala on Basant Panchami

SC allows Hindus, Muslims to offer prayers at MP's Bhojshala on Basant Panchami

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Hindus will offer prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami while Muslims to offer namaz from 1 pm to 3 pm on Friday.

BJP leader seeks ban on Paresh Rawal's 'The Taj Story'

BJP leader seeks ban on Paresh Rawal's 'The Taj Story'

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

A BJP leader from Ayodhya has filed a complaint seeking a ban on the film 'The Taj Story,' claiming it's based on his high court petition regarding the Taj Mahal.

BJP leader seeks ban on Paresh Rawal's 'The Taj Story'

BJP leader seeks ban on Paresh Rawal's 'The Taj Story'

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

A BJP leader from Ayodhya has filed a complaint seeking a ban on the film 'The Taj Story,' claiming it's based on his high court petition regarding the Taj Mahal.

Prehistoric traces unearthed near Mauryan-era site in Haryana

Prehistoric traces unearthed near Mauryan-era site in Haryana

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Archaeological explorations in Topra Kalan village, Yamunanagar district, Haryana, have revealed ancient remains and cultural artifacts, suggesting human habitation dating back approximately 3,500 years. The findings include Painted Grey Ware (PGW) and other ancient materials, with further investigations planned to determine the exact age and significance of the site.

PIX: What Modi offered at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

PIX: What Modi offered at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

Amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai, PM Modi prayed at the temple and brought a kalasam (metal pot) with traditional decorations which is believed to contain water from River Ganga regarded as sacred.

BJP MP seeks ASI survey of Masud dargah in UP, cites 'Surya Kund' link

BJP MP seeks ASI survey of Masud dargah in UP, cites 'Surya Kund' link

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

Gond also claimed that the Dargah premises was the meditation site of Maharaja Suheldev's guru, Rishi Balark.

SC refuses to stay 'scientific survey' of Bhojshala complex

SC refuses to stay 'scientific survey' of Bhojshala complex

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

Hindus consider Bhojshala, an Archaeological Survey of India-protected 11th century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community call it Kamal Maula Mosque.

What Does Keeladi Tell Us About Our Civilisation?

What Does Keeladi Tell Us About Our Civilisation?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Archaeological sites like Keeladi, having remained buried for 2,500 years, have come out and speak now.'

ASI gets 8 more weeks to complete Gyanvapi survey

ASI gets 8 more weeks to complete Gyanvapi survey

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

The ASI is carrying out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, next to Kashi Vishwanath temple here, to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

Hindus offer prayers at Bhojshala even as ASI survey continues

Hindus offer prayers at Bhojshala even as ASI survey continues

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

Hindus offered prayers at the contentious Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Tuesday, with a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) continuing its court-mandated survey.

Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb Waqf Properties

Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb Waqf Properties

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The Archaeological Survey of India informed the JPC that 280 protected monuments have been listed as Waqf properties.

SC upholds bar on declaring tribal lands as waqf properties

SC upholds bar on declaring tribal lands as waqf properties

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court refused to stay a provision barring the declaration of tribal lands as waqf properties, upholding key provisions of the Amended Waqf Act.

'Keeladi Could Be Older Than Indus Valley'

'Keeladi Could Be Older Than Indus Valley'

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

'There is no doubt about the antiquity of Tamil Nadu.'

'Dravidian South Was Cradle Of Early Urban Modernity'

'Dravidian South Was Cradle Of Early Urban Modernity'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'At Keeladi, we have not come across any evidence for organised religion.'

ASI team surveys northern wall, dome, basements at Gyanvapi

ASI team surveys northern wall, dome, basements at Gyanvapi

Rediff.com8 Aug 2023

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team surveyed the northern wall, the dome and basements of the Gyanvapi complex here on Tuesday, the fourth day of the court-mandated exercise to determine if the mosque was built over a temple.

Remove protected monument status of Aurangzeb's tomb: Shiv Sena to Centre

Remove protected monument status of Aurangzeb's tomb: Shiv Sena to Centre

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

The Shiv Sena, a ruling party in Maharashtra, has demanded the removal of the protected monument status from Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad. This demand comes after protests and calls for the tomb's demolition from organizations like the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protects the tomb as a monument of national importance. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that the state government will protect the tomb but will not allow the glorification of Aurangzeb.

Sambhal mosque in spotlight again over ASI signboard

Sambhal mosque in spotlight again over ASI signboard

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

The blue-coloured ASI board, currently kept at the Satyavrat police outpost, is expected to be installed soon, replacing the older sign that bore the name "Shahi Jama Masjid."

Aurangzeb's tomb should be removed, but...: Fadnavis

Aurangzeb's tomb should be removed, but...: Fadnavis

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

BJP's Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had sought the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

ASI surveys newly discovered temple, wells, pilgrimage sites in Sambhal

ASI surveys newly discovered temple, wells, pilgrimage sites in Sambhal

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

A four-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a survey of the recently-discovered Shri Kartik Mahadev temple, five pilgrimage sites, and 19 wells in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, India. The survey followed the discovery of three damaged idols inside a well of the Bhasma Shankar temple, which was reopened after being shut for 46 years. The Shri Kartik Mahadev temple, also known as the Bhasma Shankar temple, was reopened on December 13 after authorities found the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling and had remained locked since 1978. The district administration has requested carbon dating of the temple, including the well, from the ASI. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has restrained courts across India from entertaining new lawsuits or passing any orders in pending ones seeking to reclaim religious places, especially mosques and dargahs, until further notice. This action halts proceedings in approximately 18 lawsuits filed by Hindu parties seeking surveys to determine the original religious character of 10 mosques, including the Gyanvapi at Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah Masjid at Mathura, and the Shahi Jama Masjid at Sambhal, where four individuals died in clashes. The Supreme Court will examine the legality, scope, and boundaries of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits the conversion of places of worship and ensures the preservation of their religious character as it existed on August 15, 1947.

ASI gets more time to complete Gyanvapi mosque survey

ASI gets more time to complete Gyanvapi mosque survey

Rediff.com5 Oct 2023

The ASI, which was to submit the report of the survey by October 6, now has time till November 6 to do so.

Gyanvapi built on temple as per ASI survey report, claims Hindu side lawyer

Gyanvapi built on temple as per ASI survey report, claims Hindu side lawyer

Rediff.com26 Jan 2024

Jain told reporters that copies of the survey report consisting of 839 pages were made available to the parties concerned by the court late Thursday evening.

Instead of removing Aurangzeb's tomb...: BJP ally

Instead of removing Aurangzeb's tomb...: BJP ally

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Republican Party of India-Athawale leader said that removing Aurangzeb's tomb would not solve anything.

Panel formed to review Puri Jagannath Temple security

Panel formed to review Puri Jagannath Temple security

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) has formed a sub-committee, headed by former Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu, to suggest measures to ensure full protection of the temple in light of recent security breaches.

ASI to host yoga at 81 sites, Amit Shah to attend near Ahmedabad

ASI to host yoga at 81 sites, Amit Shah to attend near Ahmedabad

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Also, as part of the IDY celebrations, entry to all ASI sites will be "free of cost" for the public on June 21, the ministry of culture said in a statement on Friday.

HC orders ASI to clean Sambhal mosque for Ramzan

HC orders ASI to clean Sambhal mosque for Ramzan

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

The Allahabad high court on Friday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to clean the premises of Jama Masjid in Sambhal but did not pass an order for whitewashing of the mosque.

Keeladi row: DMK threatens to stall Parliament over ASI report

Keeladi row: DMK threatens to stall Parliament over ASI report

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

The BJP regime, which is unable to take on the DMK, the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu is involved in a "cultural invasion," Siva, a Rajya Sabha MP, alleged.

Water leakage in Taj Mahal's main dome after heavy rain

Water leakage in Taj Mahal's main dome after heavy rain

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

A purported video of a submerged garden on the premises of the ivory-white marble mausoleum was doing the rounds on social media since Thursday after heavy rains.

Wazukhana's ASI survey not permissible due to...: Gyanvapi to HC

Wazukhana's ASI survey not permissible due to...: Gyanvapi to HC

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

The Anjuman Intezamia Committee Thursday filed a counter-affidavit before the Allahabad HC in the matter seeking a survey of the Wazukhana (or ablution area) by the ASI.

Allahabad HC junks Sambhal mosque's plea against survey

Allahabad HC junks Sambhal mosque's plea against survey

Rediff.com19 May 2025

The Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, moved the high court challenging the suit and the Sambhal court order which directed the survey through an advocate commissioner.

No Ramzan decorations in Sambhal mosque without ASI nod: DM

No Ramzan decorations in Sambhal mosque without ASI nod: DM

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The Sambhal administration in Uttar Pradesh has stated that no work should be carried out on the Shahi Jama Masjid without the approval of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This decision comes after the mosque's management committee sought permission to redecorate the mosque ahead of Ramzan. The matter is currently pending in court, and the property belongs to the ASI. The administration has emphasized that no tampering with the mosque is allowed until the ASI grants permission.

No govt money for upkeep of Aurangzeb's tomb, says MNS

No govt money for upkeep of Aurangzeb's tomb, says MNS

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has demanded the removal of decorations and installation of CCTV surveillance at the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra. The party also wants a board to be installed at the site stating that Aurangzeb was buried there after trying to "finish" the Marathas. The demands come amid a push by right-wing outfits to remove the tomb. The MNS's memorandum comes amid demand by right-wing outfits to remove Aurangazeb's tomb. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said whether people like the Mughal emperor or not, his tomb is a protected monument, but his glorification will not be allowed.