Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Ujjain Khade Hanuman Idol Relocation Faces Protests, Delay
Officials in Ujjain are trying to move an old Khade Hanuman idol because the temple is in a road-widening area.
One report says the idol was moved on Friday evening with many police officers present.
Another report says that, after more than 40 hours, the idol was still in its original place.
Workers found that moving it directly could damage it.
They dug below the idol and planned to scan it before deciding what to do.
Some residents and religious supporters protested the operation.
The Taksali Ganesh idol was not moved, while another Hanuman idol at Kanthal Chauraha was put back on a new platform.
Temple representatives said they would cooperate if the legal documents were valid.
Reports differ on whether the Khade Hanuman idol was relocated Friday evening or remained in place after more than 40 hours of work.
The relocation operation involved the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, district administration and police, with barricades and heavy security at the site.
Officials said the idol’s base may be fragile; a pit was dug beneath it and experts advised scanning before any further removal attempt.
The temples fall within the Sati Gate–Chhatri Chowk road-widening area, with the planned new location near Tanki Chowk.
The Taksali Ganesh idol was not relocated in one report, while the Sankat Mochan Hanuman idol was separately reinstalled after road-widening work.
- Who
- The Ujjain Municipal Corporation, district administration, police, temple priests, residents, Vishwa Hindu Parishad members and Bajrang Dal members were involved.
- What
- Authorities attempted to relocate the Khade Hanuman idol and other temples affected by road widening; reports differ on whether the Khade Hanuman idol was ultimately moved.
- When
- The operation was reported during Friday and Saturday; one report said it had continued for more than 40 hours, while another described a Friday-evening relocation.
- Where
- At the Khade Hanuman Temple near Sati Gate in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, with Tanki Chowk identified as the planned new location.
- Why
- The temples lie within the Sati Gate–Chhatri Chowk road-widening area.
Protesters and temple stakeholders
Administration and relocation authorities
Whether the idol should be moved
Protesters and temple stakeholders
Residents and supporters opposed the removal, citing the temple’s historical significance; some urged authorities to build a grand temple at the existing site.
Administration and relocation authorities
The administration pursued relocation because the temple lies within the road-widening area.
Safety of the removal process
Protesters and temple stakeholders
Priest Mahesh Bairagi warned that a direct attempt could damage the idol and said experts should assess it first.
Administration and relocation authorities
Officials dug beneath the idol, arranged a scan and maintained police and administrative teams to support a safer operation.
Legal basis for relocation
Protesters and temple stakeholders
The Khade Hanuman priest and the Taksali Ganesh temple family said they would cooperate if the municipal documents were legally valid.
Administration and relocation authorities
The Municipal Corporation continued preparations and relocation work while the documents were being legally examined.
- Relocation status
- Reports conflict: one says the Khade Hanuman idol was relocated Friday evening; another says it remained in place after more than 40 hours.
- Planned destination
- Near the water tank at Tanki Chowk
- Safety measure
- A pit was dug beneath the idol and experts advised scanning its base before removal.
- Authorities deployed
- Ujjain Municipal Corporation, district administration and police
- Affected road project
- Sati Gate–Chhatri Chowk road widening
- Taksali Ganesh status
- The idol was not relocated, and worship continued at the temple.
- Separate reinstallation
- The Sankat Mochan Hanuman idol at Kanthal Chauraha was reinstalled on a new platform.
