“Pray To Lord Vishnu”: Supreme Court Refuses Plea To Restore Beheaded Khajuraho Idol

September 16, 2025 MTIMES 33 Views ASI restoration, Chandravanshi kings temples, fundamental right to worship, idol mutilation Mughal invasion, Indian archaeological heritage, Javari temple Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho temples, Lord Vishnu idol, Supreme Court of India, UNESCO heritage sites India 3 min read

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has declined to entertain a petition seeking the restoration of a 7-foot-tall beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the historic Javari temple, part of the UNESCO-recognised Khajuraho group of monuments in Madhya Pradesh.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih remarked that the matter did not fall under judicial purview but within the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“Pray To The Deity,” Says Supreme Court

The Chief Justice, addressing the petitioner, said:
“Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It’s an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc. Sorry.”

The petitioner, Rakesh Dalal, had approached the apex court claiming that the idol was mutilated during the Mughal invasions and has remained unrestored despite repeated appeals to the government.

Petition Highlights History And Neglect

The plea traced the history of the Khajuraho temples, built by the Chandravanshi kings, and argued that colonial neglect and post-independence inaction had left the idol damaged for centuries.

Dalal alleged that the refusal to restore the idol violated the fundamental right to worship of devotees. He further highlighted that multiple protests, memoranda, and campaigns urging the government to act had gone unanswered.

ASI Holds The Responsibility

The Supreme Court clarified that the issue rests with the ASI, which is responsible for the conservation, maintenance, and restoration of protected monuments across India. The Bench categorically noted that judicial intervention was not possible in matters concerning archaeological heritage management.

Cultural And Religious Significance

The Khajuraho temples, located in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district, are world-renowned for their intricate sculptures and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Javari temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, stands as an important symbol of India’s medieval architectural and spiritual legacy.

The petitioner’s plea reflected growing concerns among devotees about heritage conservation and the demand for greater attention to religious sentiments attached to ancient monuments.

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