Forgotten Sanctum Faces Conflict Amid Restoration: Ramdoot Volunteers Attacked During Indreshwar Mahadev Temple Cleanup
Indore, Madhya Pradesh – The ancient Indreshwar Mahadev Temple, the very namesake of the city of Indore, stands today not only as a symbol of spiritual heritage but also as a witness to negligence, conflict, and the urgent need for community consciousness.
Recently, members of the organization Jai Shri Ram Sena (JSRS-Indore) and its ground volunteers — affectionately referred to as Ramdoots — initiated a cleanliness and restoration drive at the Indreshwar Mahadev Temple. This sacred space, believed to date back to the Satya Yuga, has long been ignored by both the local community and municipal authorities. Despite being referenced in various Hindu scriptures and considered a spiritually significant site for Indore residents, its condition had deteriorated into one of disuse and disorder.
However, the team’s noble mission faced an unexpected roadblock.
While conducting their cleaning efforts and inspecting the temple, the volunteers encountered resistance from a local residential family living in the vicinity. Instead of supporting the initiative, the family reportedly engaged in hostile behavior and entered into a heated dispute with the Ramdoots. During the altercation, Shri Vishwas Rathore, a dedicated volunteer, suffered a serious injury to his finger and was immediately rushed to the hospital for emergency care.Advocate Smt. Kavita Udeki, associated with the organization, emphasized that Indreshwar Mahadev Temple holds deep historical and spiritual importance for all residents of Indore. “The roots of this temple are intertwined with the city’s identity,” she said. “Its neglect is not just a lapse in cleanliness but a loss of cultural integrity.”
Despite being a sacred and scripturally significant site, the temple area has become a dumping ground, with local families routinely disposing garbage near ancient Shivalings and samadhis, including that of Nandi Maharaj. Devotees have reported misuse, encroachment, and even unruly behavior from squatters, turning this revered place into a space unfit for worship.
The Indore Municipal Corporation has failed to take effective action despite complaints about the conditions and unlawful activities. And yet, when a group of volunteers arrived to restore dignity to the site, they were met with resistance instead of support.
Even after the clash, the Ramdoots resumed their cleanliness efforts and vowed to continue their work — not out of defiance, but out of devotion.
The organization has confirmed that they will persist with restoration efforts and raise their voice to demand accountability from local authorities and support from the public. Plans are already underway for further actions in the interest of preserving the sanctity of this once-sacred temple.
As Indore grows and modernizes, it must not forget the spiritual foundations on which it was built. The Indreshwar Mahadev Temple is not just a monument — it is the beating heart of the city’s origins.
