Archaeological survey document mentions temple at site of Srirangapatna Jamia masjid

MANDYA: The row over the Jamia Masjid in Srirangapatna seems to be taking new twists every day. Now, a 1912 document belonging to the Archaeological Survey of Mysore has revealed that there was indeed a Anjaneya Swamy temple at that site which was demolished and the idol kept in the Gowri Kada in the Cauvery river.

The document also mentions the temple, the idol and the mosque. It notes that the idol was reinstalled by Dalvoy Doddaiah.

“The Jyotirmayesvara temple, which is also known as the Dalavay temple, is a large structure, though in an unfinished condition. It is said that Dalavay Doddaiya, who began to build the temple, died before its completion and that his son, who began to build the Nandi mantapa in front, also died before finishing it. Being thus a structure of sad memory, it appears that the members of the Dalavay family do not like to visit it, though an annual grant is still made for its upkeep.

“Attached to this temple is the shrine of the “East Gate” Anjaneya, which is also said to have been built by Dalavay Doddaiya. The image of Anjaneya, which was preserved from Muhammadan vandalism by being immersed in a portion of the Kaveri known as Gaurikada, had its temple, it appears, on the site on which the big mosque now stands…”, reads the document.

Only a few days ago, a book, titled ‘Moodalabagilu Sri Anjaneya Swamy Suprabhat’ was found, which also mentions that the idol was dumped in the river.