Sambhal: A four-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a survey on Friday of the recently discovered Shri Kartik Mahadev temple, five pilgrimage sites, and 19 wells in Sambhal, as confirmed by a senior official.
District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya reported that the ASI team began the survey in the morning and continued until 3:30 pm. The team surveyed five pilgrimage sites, including Bhadrak Ashram, Swargdeep, and Chakrapani, as well as 19 wells, such as Chaturmukh Koop, Moksha Koop, and Dharam Koop. Additionally, the ASI team surveyed the newly discovered Shri Kartik Mahadev temple.
More idols found
Pensiya noted that while these locations had been measured earlier, the ASI team conducted the survey on Friday. Furthermore, three damaged idols were found inside the well of the Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal, which had been reopened last week after being closed for 46 years.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Inspection underway in Sambhal by 4-member ASI team
Sambhal DM Dr Rajender Pensiya said, ” It was a 4-member team. In Sambhal, 5 ‘teerth’ and 19 wells were monitored by ASI…the new temple that was found was also monitored. Survey took place 8-10… pic.twitter.com/ZZTkfx2DLV
— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2024
Shiv Hanuman temple discovery in Sambhal
The Shri Kartik Mahadev temple, also known as the Bhasma Shankar temple, was reopened on December 13 after authorities discovered it during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple, which had remained locked since 1978, contained an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling. Authorities also planned to reopen the well nearby.
District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya had earlier informed reporters that excavation work was underway at the ancient temple and well. “Around 10 to 12 feet of digging has been done. During this, an idol of Parvati was found with its head broken, followed by the discovery of Ganesh and Lakshmi idols,” he said.
When asked if the idols were damaged before being placed inside, Pensiya stated, “This is under investigation. At present, these idols have been uncovered. The full details of how they came to be inside will be revealed after a thorough investigation.”
Newly-found temple near Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid
The Shri Kartik Mahadev temple is located in the Khaggu Sarai area, just over a kilometre from the Shahi Jama Masjid, where violence erupted on November 24 during a protest over a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The clashes resulted in the deaths of four people, with several others, including police personnel, injured.
The district administration has requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct carbon dating on the temple and the nearby well. Carbon dating is a technique used to determine the age of ancient archaeological artefacts.
On December 12, the Supreme Court issued a restraining order, preventing courts across India from entertaining new lawsuits or issuing any interim or final orders in pending cases related to reclaiming religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs (Muslim shrines).
This decision halted proceedings in around 18 lawsuits filed by various Hindu groups seeking surveys to determine the original religious character of mosques, including the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura, and the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, where the recent violence occurred.
