"Exclusive Disclosure: The Resurgence of Bateshwar Led by a Dedicated Archaeologist"

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, nestled approximately 35 km from Gwalior, lies the ancient Bateshwar temple complex. This intricate network of about 200 Shiva and Vishnu temples, built between the 9th and 11th centuries, has been a beacon of peace and tranquillity amidst the turbulence that has long plagued the Chambal region.

The region, infamous for its dacoities and criminal activities, has seen its fair share of unrest. However, Bateshwar offers a stark contrast, with spiritual asylums like Nareshwar, Padavali, Mitawali, Sanichar, and Kakanmath enduring amidst the chaos.

The complex, which was once in a highly ruinous condition with thousands of temple parts scattered across several acres, has seen a remarkable revival in the past few years. In just four years, 70 temples were restored, thanks to the efforts of several individuals and organisations.

One such individual is K.K. Muhammed, a writer who believes in rebuilding temples and viharas as a way of repenting for past religious conflicts. His persistence in seeking permission for the reconstruction of the temples at Bateshwar led to some unexpected alliances.

Nirbhay Singh Gujjar, a notorious dacoit with over 250 cases against his name, and Malkhan Singh, a dacoit who surrendered in 1982, were among those who helped secure the necessary permissions. Their involvement was surprising, considering the region's criminal history, but their shared desire for preserving the spiritual heritage of Bateshwar seemed to outweigh their past transgressions.

The issue reached Delhi, where former Union Culture Minister Ambika Soni raised it with the then MP Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The writer, K.K. Muhammed, also wrote to Laxmikant Sharma, then Minister for Mining and Culture, but received no response. However, a break in protocol led to a change. Muhammed wrote directly to the RSS chief, K.S. Sudarshan, which in turn led to the state taking action.

Sudha Murty, of the Infosys Foundation, provided support for the temple reconstruction after Muhammed's transfer. IPS Vijay Raman, who had shot dead Paan Singh Tomar in 1981, played a very decisive role in securing permission for the reconstruction of the temples at Bateshwar.

Today, Bateshwar stands as a space for reflection and healing, symbolising the idea of facing history with humility and building, not destroying, in the name of faith. Despite the region's troubled past, these spiritual asylums offer a glimmer of hope, as some criminals seek solace in spirituality at the end of their lives, attempting to atone for past deeds.

"Exclusive Disclosure: The Resurgence of Bateshwar Led by a Dedicated Archaeologist"