A four-member team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is likely to begin the process of carbon dating the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple recently unearthed in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal today. The carbon dating will be done in and around the premises of the temple, including the well, in order to find out how old the structures are.
The District Magistrate (DM) of Sambhal district, Rajendra Pensia, has written to the ASI to start the carbon dating process of the structure. The temple was reopened after 46 years on December 14. The carbon dating procedure aims to find out the history of the Kartikeya Mahadev temple and its well. The Revenue Department conducted the photography of the temple premises on Thursday.
A visual inspection of the outer walls of the premises, where the flag of the temple is installed, revealed that the structure is very old. However, exact period of the temple's construction will be revealed after the results of the carbon dating process are out.
The temple, which was discovered during an anti-encroachment drive, was reopened by the district administration after it was locked since 1978 following communal riots in the city. As per the Sub-Divsional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra, the temple was found when the officials were leading a campaign regarding electricity theft and inspecting the area. "While inspecting the region, we stumbled upon this temple. Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities", the SDM said.
The temple is located near the Shahi Jama Masjid, which was a flashpoint of the violence which took place last month. In this clash, four people lost their lives. A survey of the masjid was conducted on November 19, following the orders from a court. However, violence broke out on November 24 when the survey team reached the mosque again.
Two idols of goddess Parvati were found in a well near the Bhasma Shankar Temple. An idol of Lord Ganesh and the other one of Lord Kartikeya was also found, of which the details has been sought.