Historic Shiv Temple Opens Its Doors After 46-Year Closure in Sambhal, UP
Click to start listening
Lucknow, Dec 14 (NationPress) In a remarkable turn of events, a Shiv temple has been reopened after a closure lasting 46 years on Saturday in the Khaggu Sarai locality of Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
This ancient temple, which stands in disrepair and is currently being encroached upon, has not welcomed visitors since 1978.
The reopening of the temple came to light during a city administration initiative in collaboration with the UP Police, aimed at combating anti-encroachment and curbing power theft.
Sambhal CO Anuj Kumar Chaudhary stated that there were reports of encroachment in the temple area by local residents.
Upon inspecting the site, he noted, “We discovered a temple here.”
Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, who is the patron of the Nagar Hindu Sabha, confirmed that the temple has been reopened following its closure in 1978.
Rastogi further elaborated to reporters that he and his family had once lived near the temple but had sold their house years ago and departed from the area.
“We vacated the area and were unable to maintain this temple. The temple remained shut as no priests were available to serve there. Today, it has finally been reopened,” he added.
Sambhal SDM Vandana Mishra addressed reporters, indicating that the encroachment on the temple and its surrounding land has been cleared. She noted that the police team stumbled upon the temple during an operation against local electricity theft.
The discovery of the temple in Sambhal is particularly significant, given the recent unrest and violent confrontations between local residents and police regarding a court-mandated ASI survey of the Jama masjid, a mosque dating back to the Mughal era.
The clashes erupted in Sambhal on November 24 during the mosque survey, leading to violence as locals, along with “outsiders”, gathered near the mosque, resulting in stone-pelting and arson. This incident has resulted in the unfortunate deaths of four individuals and numerous injuries.
