By IANS,
Agra : Shiv Sena activists Friday announced plans to hold Hindu religious ceremonies at the Taj Mahal even as preparations began for the urs (death anniversary) of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan later this month.
Veenu Lavania, Shiv Sena district chief, said at a press conference here that the party’s activists will offer prayers to Hindu to god Shiva at the 16th century monument every Monday during the Hindu month of Sawan, which begins Saturday.
This is an attempt to protest the celebration of Shah Jahan’s urs, which will be observed for three days from July 28 this year, he said.
Shiv Sena activists had announced similar plans last year but the police foiled their attempt to enter the precincts of the marble wonder.
The Shiv Sena claims the Taj Mahal is actually a Shiva temple, which its activists call Tejo Mahal, and that it belongs to the Rangji Temple Trust of Mathura.
“We have documents like the land records to prove that it belongs to the temple trust,” said Lavania.