The controversy surrounding Ujjain’s historic Khade Hanuman idol has drawn thousands of devotees to the site, with around 8,000 people reportedly visiting the temple over the past four days as videos of the idol’s failed relocation attempts continue to circulate on social media.

Devotees from Madhya Pradesh as well as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have been arriving at the site near Sati Gate. Many visitors said they learned about the controversy through Instagram reels and news reports before deciding to visit the shrine.

The situation has also put the administration in a delicate position, with road-widening work around the temple area continuing while the idol remains under a temporary protective tent.

Why the Khade Hanuman Idol Is at the Centre of the Row

The temple has become part of a road-widening project in Ujjain. While much of the surrounding structure has been removed, the Hanuman idol has not been successfully relocated.

Reports of heavy machinery and other equipment being unable to move the idol have fuelled claims on social media that the development is a “miracle”. Those claims, however, remain matters of religious belief and have not been established scientifically.

The administration has now sought technical expertise to determine the idol’s structure and the safest possible way of dealing with it. IIT Indore has been approached for technical assistance, including an assessment of how deeply the idol may be embedded and whether it can be moved without damage. (Live Hindustan)

Administration Says No Further Removal Attempt

The controversy intensified after videos began circulating online claiming that officials had repeatedly attempted to remove the idol.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ujjain administration said no attempt had been made by the administration to remove or displace the idol by mechanical or manual means.

The administration said the matter concerns the faith of Ujjain residents and devotees and that the safety of the idol, religious sentiments and the city’s cultural heritage were being treated as priorities.

At the same time, other reports have described earlier relocation efforts involving machinery. The conflicting accounts are one reason the issue has become contentious, with devotees saying they possess videos that they believe document attempts to move the idol.

IIT Indore Asked to Examine the Idol

Rather than proceeding immediately with relocation, authorities have turned to technical experts.

An IIT Indore team has inspected the site, with another assessment expected as officials try to determine the idol’s structural characteristics and the safest possible approach.

Reports say the administration is considering technical findings before deciding whether and how the idol can be relocated. Recent reporting also indicates that the process has been put on hold pending expert assessment and consultation with saints and local representatives. (Amar Ujala)

Social Media Turns Ujjain Shrine Into a Major Attraction

The dispute has rapidly expanded beyond the local area because of viral reels showing the idol and the attempts to relocate it.

Several devotees interviewed at the site said they travelled from other cities after watching videos on Instagram or seeing reports on television and social media.

The increased footfall has led authorities to put up barricades and deploy police personnel around the site to manage crowds.

For many young visitors, the visit has also become a social-media moment, with reels and videos being recorded around the temporary shelter where the idol is currently kept.

Saints and Political Leaders Join the Debate

The issue has also attracted religious leaders and political representatives.

Several saints visited the site as opposition to relocation grew. Congress leaders and workers, including local legislators, also reached the temple and participated in Hanuman Chalisa recitation.

Religious groups have urged authorities to protect the idol at its existing location, arguing that shifting it could affect established religious practices and beliefs.

The administration, meanwhile, is seeking a solution that balances the road project with religious sentiments and the preservation of the site.

Direction of Idol Becomes Another Point of Concern

Another issue being discussed among devotees is the direction in which the idol faces.

According to the information circulating locally, the existing idol faces south, while the alternative location proposed for the temple would result in a different orientation.

Devotees argue that the change could have religious significance. Whether the idol should ultimately remain at the present site or be relocated will depend on the technical assessment and the administrative decision.

For now, the relocation issue remains unresolved, while the growing crowds have transformed the site into one of Ujjain’s most talked-about religious spots.