The Sambhal administration on Saturday uncovered and reopened a temple that had reportedly been closed for 46 years as part of its ongoing anti-encroachment drive.
The Bhasma Shankar temple, located in the Khaggu Sarai area under Nakhasa police station, houses a Shivling and an idol of Lord Hanuman.
According to locals, the temple had remained locked since 1978 following communal riots that led to the displacement of the local Hindu community.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra, who was spearheading a campaign against electricity theft in the area, said, “While inspecting the region, we stumbled upon this temple. Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities.”
“We all came here together and decided to reopen the temple,” she added, noting that the temple had been closed for decades. Local residents confirmed it had been locked since 1978.
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The temple also has a nearby well, which the authorities plan to reopen.
Residents shared their memories of the temple, emphasizing its religious and cultural significance for the community.
Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, an 82-year-old patron of the Nagar Hindu Mahasabha, recounted his personal connection to the temple.
“I have lived in Khaggu Sarai since my birth. After the 1978 riots, our community was forced to migrate from the area. This temple, dedicated to our Kulguru, has been locked since then,” Rastogi said.
The temple’s reopening comes weeks after violence erupted in Sambhal on November 24 over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area. Four people were killed, and several others, including police personnel, were injured during the clashes.
The administration has since launched a crackdown on encroachments and power theft in areas surrounding the Mughal-era mosque. Khaggu Sarai is located just over a kilometre away from the Jama Masjid.
In a separate incident, an imam of the Anar Wali Masjid in the Kot Garvi area was fined Rs 2 lakh on Friday for allegedly using a loudspeaker at a high volume.
Officials said the imam had been directed to avoid similar conduct for the next six months, as per an order passed by the SDM.
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