A road-widening project in Ujjain has run into an unusual hurdle after an eight-foot Hanuman idol could not be shifted despite the temple structure being dismantled.

An eight-foot Hanuman idol has become the latest hurdle in a road-widening project in Ujjain, with municipal engineers and archaeologists struggling to find a way to shift the idol without damaging it.The idol is located in the busy Bada Sarafa market, along the stretch between Kanthal and Gopal Mandir.

It currently stands covered under a waterproof tent after the temple around it was dismantled.The road is being widened from 9 metres to 15 metres ahead of the Simhastha 2028 religious congregation. Several religious sites reportedly fall along the route, making the expansion particularly sensitive.

Temple demolished, idol remains

According to the newspaper report, the plan appeared straightforward: dismantle the temple, relocate the Hanuman idol to a new site near an old water tank at Chhatri Chowk, and then proceed with the road work.The temple's boundary wall and spire were carefully dismantled a few days ago after priests and members of local Hindu organisations gathered for a final aarti.The problem emerged when officials attempted to move the idol.The eight-foot idol reportedly could not be shifted even after efforts were made, leaving officials looking for an alternative solution.

Road project remains stalled

The stalled idol-shifting work has now affected the road-widening project involving municipal engineers and archaeologists.The location is also attracting devotees, with people gathering to seek darshan of what some describe as a “miracle” involving the immovable idol.

Officials are now expected to work out a technically and religiously acceptable way to relocate the idol so that the road-widening project can move forward.The immediate focus remains on protecting the idol while finding a solution for the infrastructure work linked to the Simhastha 2028 preparations.