Another ancient temple found near Sambhal mosque

SAMBHAL: Authorities have uncovered another temple structure in the Hayatnagar area of Sambhal district, located around 1.5km from the Jama Mosque, in the wake of recent violence.

A team of local police and district administration officials unlocked the temple for investigation and are currently verifying details regarding its caretakers.

The discovery follows the revelation of a Shiv temple in the Sarayatrin area, which was unearthed during an anti-encroachment drive by the local administration.

Two days after its reopening on December 14, the temple in Khaggu Sarai came alive with the sound of kirtans and bhajans.

The temple had remained abandoned for 46 years following the 1978 communal riots that forced many Hindus to flee the area.

Since the riots, the temple had been locked and remained out of public view until now.

District administration writes to ASI for carbon dating

The Sambhal district administration has written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for carbon dating of the Bhasma Shankar temple, including a well there.

Worshippers have started visiting the temple, and it is being guarded round the clock.

"This is the temple of Kartik Mahadev. A well has been found here. This is Amrit Koop. Security guards have been permanently posted here, and CCTV cameras have also been installed. There is encroachment here which is being removed," DM Rajender Pensiya said.

"We have written a letter to ASI for carbon dating of the temple and the well," he added. Carbon dating is a method used to determine the age of archaeological artefacts.


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