In Sambhal, UP, during the excavation of a well near a temple that reopened after 48 years, three idols sequentially surfaced. Excavation around the temple has reached about 15 to 20 feet. In this process, fragmented idols measuring 7 to 8 inches emerged. They appear to represent Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi. The investigation is ongoing with a robust police presence on-site.
In reality, an old Shiva temple in Khaggu Sarai, adjacent to Deepsarai, closed for approximately four decades, was reopened by the administration on Saturday. As the temple opened, police and locals swarmed the area, and rituals commenced. Concurrently, the administration initiated the excavation of a blocked well nearby. As the excavation reached 15 feet, deities' idols began to surface one by one.
After extracting three idols during the temple excavation in Sambhal, Additional SP Shrishchandra and CO Anuj Chaudhary arrived at the scene. They examined the idols and interacted with the media, stating that they will be sent for examination.
Notably, remnants from an ancient Hindu temple have been found in Sambhal during electricity theft checks. Recently, more fragmented idols were discovered during the excavation of another well nearby the temple. These findings have been handed over to the administration for further investigation. Meanwhile, an atmosphere of tremendous excitement envelops the devotees following the discovery of three idols during the well's excavation in front of the temple. Women have begun singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, accompanied by the beat of drums next to the temple.
Among these events, carbon dating plans are in motion for a temple found closed for 46 years in Sambhal's predominantly-Muslim area. The district administration of Sambhal wrote to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the carbon dating of the Bhasma Shankar Temple, the Shiva Linga, and the discovered well to determine their antiquity.
Please note, the temple, closed since 1978, was discovered by police and administrative teams during a crackdown on electricity theft last Saturday. Subsequently, on September 15th, rituals and invocations were conducted within the temple. According to District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia, this is a temple devoted to Kartik Mahadev. An Amrit Koop, or nectar well, was discovered here. Since the temple's discovery, a 24-hour security team has been stationed with CCTV surveillance. Encroachments in the area are being removed.
Local claims suggest that communal riots and Hindu population displacement led to the temple's closure since 1978. Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, aged 82 and protector of the Nagar Hindu Mahasabha, explained that he has lived in Khaggu Sarai since birth. Post-1978 riots, the Hindu community had to migrate from the area, leading to the closure of the temple dedicated to their family deity.
Located 200 meters from the home of SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, this temple, closed for 46 years, houses the idols of Hanuman, the Shivling, and Nandi. Security measures have been meticulously arranged by the DM and SP at present.
