The centuries-old story of Ayodhya Ram temple came to an end with the consecration of Ramlala’s life on Monday.
However, discussions about the centuries-old journey of the temple still continue. It is said that when the excavations were going on in the 70s, the first thing found as evidence of the temple was ‘Purna Kalash’.
KK Mohammad, who was then in the team of Archaeological Survey of India i.e. ASI, has confirmed this.
Mohammed was also invited to the temple ceremony organized in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Talking to Times of India, he recalls the period of 1976-77, when the Ayodhya issue was not that big.
Then he had just started working as a trainee under the guidance of Professor Bibi Lal. He says that 12 pillars were visible, looking at which anyone could tell that they belong to the temple.
He told, ‘Poorna Kalash, considered a symbol of prosperity in Hindu religion, was found at the bottom of the pillars. This was one of the eight Mars signs.
That was the first evidence. Professor Lal then excavated the western and southern parts, where some sculptures characteristic of Hindu temples were found. Some were defaced, but Hindu symbols were clearly visible. He was the second evidence.
He said, ‘Terracotta sculptures were the third evidence. Doctor Lal found that there could be a temple beneath the mosque. Mohammed had also advocated the evidence found by Professor Lal.
According to the report, he says, ‘Professor Lal did not show his work specifically thinking that it would anger people. He set it aside as an academic pursuit.
A decade later, a group of Marxist historians… came out with a statement that Professor Lal… had not found anything related to the temple…. Professor Lal had to defend himself. He reached out to the press and shared his findings.
Here, the former ASI officer also had to face a lot of criticism. However, despite all the threats, he remained adamant on his point. An internal inquiry was also conducted against him and he was transferred to Goa.