Sambhal authorities on Friday reopened the temple which had been closed since 1978 following communal riots in the town.
Officials said the temple, located a stone’s throw from the Shahi Jama Masjid, was opened after authorities “stumbled upon” it during an anti-robbery operation.
The Bhasma Shankar temple has an image of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.
The temple has been closed since 1978 after communal riots led to the eviction of the local Hindu community, locals said.
District Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra, who was leading the campaign against electricity theft in the area, said, “While inspecting the district, we came across this temple. When I saw it, I immediately informed the authorities.
“We all gathered here and decided to reopen the temple,” Mishra said, adding that the temple had been closed for decades and local residents confirmed that it had been closed since 1978.
The temple also has a well nearby which the authorities plan to reopen.
After weeks Four people were killed in the violence carried out by the court at Shahi Jama Masjid In this state of Uttar Pradesh, the administration has launched a campaign to deal with encroachment and power theft in the areas surrounding the Mughal era mosque.
Local residents shared their memories of the temple, many highlighting its importance as a community religious center.
The temple, located in Khaggu Sarai is a little over a kilometer from the Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area.
Mukesh Rastogi, a resident of Kot Garvi, said, “We have heard a lot about this temple from our ancestors. It is an ancient temple but it was closed long ago because the people were only a certain community.
“We heard that this temple must be at least 500 years old,” he said.
Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, a follower of the Nagar Hindu Mahasabha, 82, shared his relationship with the temple.
“I have lived in Khaggu Sarai since my birth. After the riots of 1978, our community was forced to leave the area. This temple, dedicated to our Kulguru, has been closed ever since,” said Rastogi.
“Around 25-30 Hindu families, including ours, lived in the Khaggu Sarai area. After the 1978 riots, we sold our house and left the area,” said Rastogi.
He said it was an ancient temple and it was known as Bhasma Shankar. It was called the Rastogi community temple, he added.
“In the past, our people used to come here to worship,” he said.
Sanjay Sankhydhar, a resident of Sambhal, said he has heard a lot about this temple. “The suffering of the people was alleviated by visiting here. But it had been closed for a long time. Now the people here will visit again and get moral benefits,” he said.
There was violence in Sambhal on November 24 over the inspection of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. Four people died and many were injured, including policemen in this violence.
The imam of another mosque in Sambhal was on Friday fined Rs 2 lakh for allegedly using a loud speaker, officials said.
The incident took place at Anar Wali Masjid in Kot Garvi area, according to administration officials.
The imam was ordered to avoid similar behavior for the next six months, according to the order passed by the SDM.
Source link