Sambhal Temple: 46-Year-Old Temple Gets Official Name, Carbon Dating to Be Conducted

The Sambhal district administration has requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct carbon dating of the Bhasma Shankar temple and an adjacent well. Morning aarti was performed at the temple, which had remained locked since the 1978 riots but was recently reopened during an anti-encroachment drive. On Monday, the temple's name was painted on its exterior, along with inscriptions of slogans such as "Om Namah Shivaya" and "Har Har Mahadeva." Worshippers have begun visiting the temple, which is now under round-the-clock security. Authorities have stationed security personnel at the site and installed CCTV cameras to ensure safety. The temple was uncovered last Friday during an anti-encroachment operation. Officials identified it as the temple of Kartik Mahadev and discovered a well, now referred to as Amrit Koop. District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya confirmed that worship activities have resumed and that efforts are ongoing to clear encroachments in the area.