News Brief
Locked Since 1978 Communal Riots, Bhasma Shankar Temple Near Shahi Jama Masjid In UP's Sambhal Reopened For Devotees
Pic Via Twitter
The Sambhal administration in Uttar Pradesh has reopened a temple that had remained locked since 1978 following communal riots.
The Bhasma Shankar temple, situated near the Shahi Jama Masjid, houses a Shivling and an idol of Lord Hanuman.
The temple was opened after authorities "stumbled" on it during an anti-encroachment drive.
The temple had remained locked since 1978 after the communal riots that led to the displacement of the local Hindu community, locals claimed., news agency PTI reported.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra, who was leading 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," Mishra said, adding that the temple had been closed for decades and the local residents confirmed it had been locked since 1978.
Authorities also plan to reopen a well located near the temple.
The temple reopening comes weeks after violence erupted over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in this Uttar Pradesh district, leaving four people dead.
The administration has since initiated a campaign to tackle encroachments and power theft in areas around the mosque.
According to the PTI report, local residents shared their memories of the temple, with many highlighting its importance as a religious site for the community.
Located in Khaggu Sarai, the temple lies slightly over a kilometre from the Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area.
"We have heard that this temple must be at least 500 years old," he added.
Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, 82-year-old patron of the Nagar Hindu Mahasabha, shared his personal connection with 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.
"Around 25-30 Hindu families, including ours, used to live in the Khaggu Sarai area. After the 1978 riots, we sold our house and left this place," Rastogi said.
He said it is an ancient temple and was known as Bhasma Shankar temple.
He added that it was called the temple of the Rastogi community, he added.
"Earlier, the people of our community used to come here for worship," he said.
On 24 November, violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal.
Four people lost their lives, and several others, including police officers, were injured.
