NEW DELHI: A ‘Mahabharat era’ Shivling at Billeshwar Mahadev temple in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh was found vandalised on Wednesday, the local officials said.
Police arrested a man, Awadhesh Kurmi, reportedly battling depression, in connection with the incident. The accused was distressed over his wife’s prolonged illness and admitted to vandalizing the Shivling out of frustration stemming from his mental turmoil, according to additional superintendent of police (ASP) Akhilesh Singh.
The accused also admitted to vandalizing another Shivling in the vicinity.
The desecration of the Shivling at the historic Billeshwar Mahadev temple has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees, Ajay Trivedi from the Hindu Jagran Manch said, condemning the act, as reported by PTI.
Locals believe that Lord Krishna and Arjuna rested at the site during their journey from Hastinapur, where Krishna consecrated the Shivling after offering prayers. According to legend, Arjuna struck the ground with an arrow to create a water source for the ritual, which remains part of the temple complex.
