India court ends hearings on disputed Ayodhya site

NEW DELHI, Oct 16 (Reuters): India's Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered an end to hearings in a long-running dispute between Hindus and Muslims over a place of worship, laying the ground for a verdict that could lead to further divisions.

Hindus believe that the site in the northern town of Ayodhya is the birthplace of god-king Lord Ram and want a temple built on the ruins of a mosque that was torn down by zealots in 1992, triggering riots across the country.

Muslims want the 16th century mosque be rebuilt and leaders from the two sides have been arguing over the matter for decades.

"Enough is enough," Supreme Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said in a packed courtroom in New Delhi, sitting alongside four other judges.

"Hearing in this matter is going to be completed today," he said.

Hindu groups tied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party have been agitating for a temple at the site, saying a temple existed there before Muslim invaders destroyed it and built the mosque.