UP: A Long-Closed Temple Reopens in Sambhal After Years
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Sambhal, Dec 17 (NationPress) Following the recent discovery of a Shiva temple in the Khaggu Sarai locality of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh (UP), another temple, which had been closed for many years, has reopened in the Sarayatareen region of the district. This religious site is recognized as the Radha Krishna Temple. Previously, it was only accessible during sporadic festival worship.
The temple's existence came to light after local authorities were informed about it. The police got involved, unlocked the premises, and started cleaning and restoring the site to make it operational once more.
Constructed in 1982, the Radha Krishna Temple stands as a symbol of communal harmony and the collective efforts of the local community. Rishipal Singh, a local resident, stated, “The land for the temple was donated by residents of the locality.”
He elaborated that the temple fell into neglect after the 1992 riots in Uttar Pradesh. A series of violent incidents and murders during previous governments instilled fear among the Hindu community, resulting in mass migration.
Singh further noted, “Hindus felt threatened and abandoned the area, visiting the temple solely during festivals. The temple has been closed for nearly 10 years. Today, with police intervention, the temple has reopened, and cleaning efforts are currently underway.”
The region has experienced multiple instances of communal unrest, including the riots of 1978.
Devendra Rastogi, a resident and eyewitness to those events, recalled the violence of that period. “Many lives were lost in incidents like the one in Murari Lal's Khanchi, and shops were set ablaze. The then-Congress government failed to respond adequately, and police reinforcements were delayed. Now, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's commitment to taking action against those responsible for the riots, it is a commendable step. The victims' families deserve compensation,” Rastogi remarked.
A woman who lived in the area during that time shared her experience: “When I married in 1972, my house was located here. At that time, the population was predominantly Muslim, with only a few Hindu families. The 1978 riots were terrifying; the curfew lasted a month. I considered whether to leave Sambhal altogether or seek protection. If Chief Minister Yogi has brought this issue to light now, it’s crucial that justice is served.”
Recently, another ancient Shiva temple, in ruins and encroached upon, was discovered just four days ago. This “discovery” occurred while the city administration, along with UP Police, conducted a drive against anti-encroachment and power theft.
Sambhal CO Anuj Kumar Chaudhary mentioned, “We received information about the temple area being encroached upon by residents. Upon inspection, we found a temple here.”
