170-Year-Old Khade Hanuman Idol Stirs Debate in Ujjain, IIT Indore Experts Step In

September 10, 2026

Ujjain: Following growing public concern over the Hanumanji statue standing amid road widening, the administration has halted further action. A team from IIT Indore conducted a scientific investigation to determine the condition of the statue and the underlying structure. A decision on whether to remove or preserve the statue will be made only after the expert report is received.

IIT Indore team conducts scientific investigation

The IIT Indore team conducted a scientific investigation in the temple complex for about two hours on Tuesday. Using specialized equipment, the team gathered information about the statue’s depth in the ground, the surrounding structure, and its possible foundation. The administration wants to determine what lies beneath the statue and whether it is possible to remove it without damaging it.

No further action will be taken until the report is received

According to Municipal Corporation Commissioner Abhilash Mishra, the process and date for removing the statue will be decided only after receiving the report from IIT Indore. Further action has been halted until the report is received. The administration says that any decision will be taken only after considering the sentiments of all parties.

Likely to be 1000 years old, demand for conservation

According to archaeologists, the statue of standing Hanumanji may be around 1000 years old. This has led to a growing demand for conservation among devotees and local residents. Along with the Sant Samaj, the Congress and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Bajrang Dal have also demanded that the statue be preserved in its original place.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal workers walked from Mahakal Neelkanth Gate to the standing Hanuman Temple and presented their demand to the administration to develop it as a new pilgrimage site. Now, all eyes are on the IIT Indore report.