Varanasi: Indore’s queen Ahilyabai Holkar was offered obeisance at the Mandir Chowk of Kashi Vishwanath Dham on the occasion of her 301st birth anniversary on Sunday. A bid of Congress functionaries to reach state archaeology department’s protected Gurudham temple, where idols of Ahilyabai were shifted from Manikarnika ghat in Jan, was foiled by police at their Maidagin office.Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust hosted many events to mark the occasion and highlighted the contributions of the 18th century queen to promotion of Sanatan traditions. The trust organised a memorial, prayer session and ‘aarti’ at Mandir Chowk of the KV Dham. The statue of Ahilyabai Holkar was beautifully decorated with flowers. After completing the prayer and ‘aarti’ the scholars said her contribution to keeping Sanatan public consciousness vibrant and alive is unparalleled.How she ensured rejuvenation of Kashi Vishwanath temple in 1777 amid its turbulent history of repeated demolitions and restorations, was also highlighted. Trust resolved to keep the flame of Sanatan inspiration ever burning by preserving, propagating and popularising the great stories of saints and revered maternal figures of the Sanatan tradition.Congress members and workers too held a tribute ceremony at their city unit office at Maidagin and speakers highlighted Holkar’s justice-oriented governance, public welfare, contributions to Kashi, reconstruction of Kashi Vishwanath temple, and the preservation of ghats, temples, dharamshalas and public utility structures.Following the programme, Congress members tried to march to Gurudham temple to offer floral tributes to the idols preserved there, but police deployed outside their office stopped them. Congress city president Raghvendra Chaubey condemned the police action and said, “Our intention was only to offer garlands at the statue and pay homage to her, but the administration and police obstructed. Despite all odds, Congress will continue to spread the ideals of Lokamata Ahilyabai Holkar.”Scores of people associated with Pal Samaj fetched Ganga water from Ahilyabai Ghat and reached Kashi Vishwanath Dham to perform Jalabhishek on the occasion.