The Controversy Surrounding the Dargah in Vemulawada Temple: A Complete Story

The Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada, Telangana, stands as one of India’s most revered Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known as “Dakshina Kashi,” it has long symbolized spiritual depth and interfaith harmony due to a dargah—a Muslim shrine—within its premises. However, this unique coexistence has become the epicenter of a heated controversy in recent years, pitting demands for religious purity against traditions of syncretism. The debate escalated dramatically in 2024-2025, leading to protests, political involvement, and a government-mediated resolution to relocate the dargah. This complete account explores the historical backdrop, the spark of conflict, key events, and the outcome, highlighting the tensions between heritage preservation and communal unity.

Historical Context: Harmony or Encroachment?

The temple’s history dates to the 8th-10th centuries CE, during the Chalukya rule when Vemulawada was their capital. Ancient inscriptions mention the site as “Lemulavatika,” and the Neela Lohitha Shiva Lingam was installed following a miraculous healing legend involving Raja Narendra’s cure from leprosy in the Dharmagundam tank.

The dargah, painted green and situated on the temple’s southern side, is traditionally associated with Hazrat Baba Khaja Bagh Sawar, a Sufi saint depicted in folklore as a devotee of Lord Shiva who received divine permission to be buried there. This narrative promoted the site as a beacon of Hindu-Muslim unity, with both communities offering prayers side by side for centuries. Devotees visited the dargah alongside Shiva worship, especially during festivals, viewing it as a testament to India’s pluralistic ethos.

However, revisionist accounts challenge this harmony. Some historians and activists claim the dargah marks the grave of a Muslim invader from Aurangabad who tried to desecrate the Shiva Lingam during medieval conquests but died in the attempt. Hindu traditions strictly prohibit tombs or non-Hindu structures within temple complexes, as they are seen to defile the sanctity of spaces dedicated to deity worship. Critics argue that no ancient Hindu scriptures endorse such integrations, and Islamic principles emphasize monotheism, discouraging prayers near idols of other faiths. This conflicting lore sowed seeds of doubt, simmering beneath the surface until modern activism brought it to the forefront.

The Spark: Rising Calls for Reclamation

The controversy ignited in the early 2020s amid a national wave of temple reclamation movements, where historical sites with shared religious elements faced scrutiny. In Vemulawada, the dargah’s presence was increasingly viewed as an “encroachment” on sacred Hindu land, especially as the temple draws millions for rituals like head tonsure and Abhishekam. Social media campaigns amplified grievances, questioning why a tomb occupied prime temple space.

A turning point came in 2024 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the temple drew attention to the anomaly, prompting local devotees to demand action. By early 2025, organized efforts framed the dargah as a historical injustice needing rectification to restore the site’s pure Shaivite character.

Key Events and Escalation

The movement gained momentum in February 2025, led by activist Ravinder Goud (Ravinder Anna) of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mandal. He initiated a novel protest: devotees slipped notes into the temple’s hundi (offering box) reading “Dargah Hatao, Vemulawada Bachao” (Remove the Dargah, Save Vemulawada). Thousands of these messages were found during collections, turning a traditional act of devotion into a mass petition.

In June 2025, Congress leader and advocate Burra Raviteja Goud wrote to temple executive officer K. Vinod Reddy, urging relocation during upcoming renovations. Invoking constitutional rights to free speech, the letter argued for respecting both religions’ practices and averting future conflicts. It went viral, polarizing opinions—supporters saw it as progressive, while opponents decried political interference.

Protests intensified peacefully but persistently. Ravinder Goud organized a 108-day Hanuman Chalisa recitation and faced arrest with a 15-day remand, yet the campaign persisted. Hindu groups like RSS and BJP criticized the Endowments Department for inaction. In May 2025, a town-wide bandh protested government plans to close the temple for expansions without addressing the dargah. An incident involving a woman posing as an Aghori trying to demolish the structure led to her detention, heightening tensions.

By October 2025, the Telangana government planned temporary closure for developments, including a “Koti Lingalu” project on the dargah’s side, suggested by the Sringeri Mutt. BJP leaders accused the government of undermining Hindu sentiments, while LED screens were installed for remote darshan.

Key Players and Perspectives

• Activists: Ravinder Goud hailed the movement as a non-violent victory for Hindu unity, crediting sustained devotion.
• Political Involvement: Congress MLA Adi Srinivas and BJP MP Bandi Sanjay mediated talks. Endowments Minister Konda Surekha faced criticism for ritual delays but pushed for stakeholder dialogues.
• Muslim Community: In October 13-14 meetings, they consented to relocation, citing Islamic tenets against proximity to non-Islamic worship sites and a commitment to peace.
• Devotees and Organizations: Figures like Prerna Thiruvaipati celebrated it as historic, with chants of “Hara Hara Mahadev” echoing online.

The government facilitated consensus, involving officials to balance sensitivities.

Resolution: Relocation and Aftermath

On October 15, 2025, after intensive consultations, the Telangana government announced the dargah’s relocation outside the temple premises. This ended the year-long standoff, enabling renovations to proceed harmoniously. Portrayed as a mutual decision, it preserved communal ties while addressing Hindu concerns. As of October 16, 2025, the temple is closed for works, marking a new chapter.

Broader Implications

This controversy underscores India’s complex interplay of history, faith, and politics. Proponents view it as reclaiming sacred spaces, setting precedents for sites like Mathura or Kashi. Detractors fear it erodes syncretic traditions, though the peaceful resolution via dialogue offers hope. Vemulawada’s story reflects evolving debates on cultural identity, reminding us that while divisions persist, negotiated unity can prevail.

For devotees, the temple’s spiritual essence endures, now potentially purified for future generations. This episode invites reflection on balancing reverence for the past with aspirations for religious autonomy.

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