Hindu Aikya Vedi Leader Alleges Palayoor Church Was Originally a Shiva Temple, Sparks Outrage

In a televised discussion on the Gyanvapi Masjid, Hindu Aikya Vedi leader R V Babu claimed that the Palayoor church in Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala, was originally a Shiva temple. This controversial remark has ignited widespread criticism from various quarters.

Palayoor, a Christian church situated near the revered Guruvayur temple, holds significant historical and religious importance as one of the earliest Christian churches in India, believed to have been established by St. Thomas. Babu”s claim directly challenges this established historical narrative, triggering outrage among the Christian community and others who value the religious heritage of the site.

Despite Babu”s reference to historical writings by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan to support his claim, his statement has been met with skepticism and condemnation as the claim not only undermines the religious identity and significance of the Palayoor church but also raises concerns about the potential implications for communal harmony and religious tolerance in the region.

Babu”s assertion was made in the context of a discussion surrounding the Gyanvapi Masjid, where he also referenced a previous claim by RSS leader TG Mohandas regarding the Arthunkal mosque being a Hindu temple. His attempt to draw parallels between these two religious sites has further fueled the controversy.

Gyanvapi Mosque is currently facing a legal battle as Varanasi court has directed the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) to probe its structure. This was followed after several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court and Varanasi Court alleging that the mosque was built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after demolishing the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the 16th century.