Sambhal: How old is the 46-year-old temple idol found in a Muslim-dominated area? Preparation to find out through carbon dating – UP Sambhal temple Administration writes to ASI for carbon dating steps up security at site NTC
Preparations are underway for carbon dating of a 46-year-old temple found closed in a Muslim-dominated area in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The district administration of Sambhal has written a letter to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for carbon dating of the Bhasma Shankar temple, Shivalinga and the well found there. Through this investigation, the administration wants to find out how old the temple and its idol are.
Let us tell you that the police and administration team that came to stop electricity theft had discovered this temple which was closed since 1978. After this, on September 15, puja aarti was performed in this temple along with rituals and chanting of mantras. According to District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia, this is the temple of Kartik Mahadev. A well has been found here, which is Amrit Kup. After finding the temple, a team has been deployed here for 24-hour security. CCTV cameras have also been installed. The encroachment here is being removed.
Distance is 1 KM from Jama Masjid
Temple priest Mahant Acharya Vinod Shukla said that devotees have started coming to the temple and offering prayers. Local resident Mohit Rastogi has expressed happiness over the reopening of the temple. He said, ‘I had heard about this temple from my grandfather.’ Let us tell you that this temple is in Khaggu Sarai area of Sambhal, which is just one kilometer away from Jama Masjid. There was violence in the area around Jama Masjid on November 24 after the order for survey of the mosque was given.
The temple was closed after the 1978 riots
People claim that this temple was closed since 1978 due to communal riots and displacement of Hindu population. Vishnu Shankar Rastogi (82), patron of Nagar Hindu Mahasabha, said that he has been living in Khaggu Sarai since his birth. After the 1978 riots, the Hindu community had to flee this area. Since then this temple dedicated to our Vice Chancellor was closed.
Hanuman ji, Shivling and Nandi in the temple
This temple, which was closed for 46 years, was found at a distance of 200 meters from the house of SP MP Ziaur Rahman Burke. The idol of Hanumanji, Shivalinga and Nandi are installed inside the temple. At present the DM and SP have made elaborate security arrangements here.
A well was also found during excavation
Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary said that this temple has been there for many years. Even when the riots took place in 1978, the temple was still here. Everyone here knows that Hindus had left here after the riots. After the information about the temple came to light, a well was also found during excavation, which was covered.
The last Hindu family left in 2012
Let us tell you that after the issue of the temple came to light, Aaj Tak reached Ground Zero and talked to the local Muslim people. During this, Shariq and Mohammad Salman had told that many Hindu families lived in the area, who used to worship in the temple. Gradually the Hindu families left from here, since then worship was not held in the temple. The last Hindu family left in the year 2012.
