Sambhal DM, SP Offer Prayers At 'Ancient' Shiv-Hanuman Temple Day After Reopening — WATCH

An aarti was performed at the Hanuman Temple on Sunday after it was reopened by the district administration on Saturday after it was locked since 1978 following communal riots in the town.

The Bhasma Shankar temple houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.

Source : PTI

Sambhal Superintendent Of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar and District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya on Sunday offered prayers at the newly-discovered Shiv-Hanuman Temple, which was reopened after authorities stumbled on it during an anti-encroachment drive. 

Earlier in the day, an aarti was performed at the Hanuman Temple after it was reopened by the district administration on Saturday after it was locked since 1978 following communal riots in the town.

UP Police personnel have been deployed outside the recently reopened temple. A day after the temple was discovered at stone's throw distance from Shahi Jama Masjid, its premises were cleaned and electricity was set up before the morning prayers and aarti. 

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Sambhal SP Krishan Kumar and DM Dr Rajender Pensiya offer prayers at the Shiv-Hanuman Temple which was discovered in Sambhal during an anti-encroachment drive carried out by district police and administration, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/UMxZZVhP4n

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Sambhal DM Rajender Pensiya said, "We are removing temporary encroachments and permanent encroachment would be removed through due process and notice... The CCTV has been installed. A permanent force has been deployed and the priests performing prayers... Lakes are public property and it is a natural resource... The SC also says that their protection is very important. We will issue notices and make them encroachment-free."

Acharya Brahma Shukla, who performed the puja at the temple, said, "We came in the morning and cleaned the temple to perform aarti. A Brahmin should be appointed here so that he can stay here. Till the time a caretaker is appointed for this temple, we will take the responsibility."

Sambhal officials said the temple was discovered after authorities stumbled on it during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple, named as Bhasma Shankar temple, houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling. 

It remained locked since 1978 after the communal riots that led to the displacement of the local Hindu community, as per the locals. 

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) 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.

The temple, located in Khaggu Sarai is just over a kilometre away from the Jama Masjid which is situated in Kot Garvi area and an issue to the recent controversy over the survey. 

Mukesh Rastogi, a resident of Kot Garvi, said, "We had heard a lot about this temple from our ancestors. It is an ancient temple but it was closed long ago because people only a particular community lived there. We have heard that this temple must be at least 500 years old." 

The locals said that around 25-30 Hindu families used to live in the Khaggu Sarai area, but migrated after the 1978 riots.