Explained: Why is there a demand to rename Lucknow

India

oi-Deepika S

Lucknow, Might 19: A tweet by chief minister Yogi Adityanath to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revived the controversy over potential plans to rename Lucknow after Lakshman.

Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Yogi wrote: “Sheshavatar Bhagwan Laxman ki pawan nagri Lucknow mein aapka swagat aur abhinandan.”

Quickly the social media was abuzz concerning the title of Lucknow being modified to Laxmanpuri. The renaming of Lucknow to Laxmanpuri, is a well-liked demand flagged by a number of leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP).

Historic reference

In line with common legend, Ramayana, Lord Rama gifted the territory of Lucknow to his devoted brother Lakshman after he had conquered Sri Lanka and accomplished his time period of exile within the jungle. individuals imagine that the unique title of Lucknow was Lakshmanpur, popularly referred to as Lakhanpur or Lachmanpur.

A number of historic references present the town was initially named Lakshmanavati, then Lakshmanpur, and after that Lakhnavati, earlier than lastly being named Lucknow.

A protracted pending demand

The Yogi Adityanath authorities on renaming spree had modified the title of Allahabad to Prayagraj and Faizabad to Ayodhya.

Following this, there was a surge in demand for altering the names of many districts corresponding to Sultanpur to Kushbhawanpur, Aligarh to Harigarh, Mainpuri to Mayanpuri, Sambhal to Prithviraj Nagar or Kalki Nagar, Firozabad to Chandranagar and Deoband to Devrand.

Likewise, the demand to rename Lucknow to Laxmanapuri is lengthy pending.

Individuals know that Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and they need to additionally affiliate Lucknow with Lord Lakshman’s title. Many imagine that the town derives its title from Lord Lakshman.

Former UP minister late Lalji Tandon in his guide ‘Ankaha Lucknow’ had established the hyperlink between Lucknow, which was named after Lakshman.

“This metropolis was initially named Lakshmanavati, then Lakshmanpur, and after that Lakhnavati, earlier than lastly being named Lucknow,” Tandon wrote in 2018.

The previous minister additionally claimed {that a} ‘Shesh Gufa’ additionally stood on the Lakshman Teela – a proof of Lucknow’s hyperlink with Lakshman.

Laxman temple in Lucknow

Notably, Lucknow already has a number of landmarks named after Laxman and these embrace Laxman Tila, Laxmanpuri and Laxman Park.

After grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the UP authorities has determined to construct a 151-foot-high statue of Lakshman, the youthful brother of Lord Ram.

The authorities have additionally deliberate to provide you with a gallery ‘Lakshman Prerna Kunj’ surrounding the statue which is able to painting all of the details of Lord Lakshman, his formative years, story, sacrifice and his dedication in direction of Lord Rama, ethics and ease.

The Lakshman temple, reportedly may have statues of his spouse Urmila and there may even be statues of Shiva Parivar and Ram Darbar. An outdated age dwelling will likely be part of the temple complicated, named after Urmila.