As part of the anti-encroachment campaign, the Sambhal administration here reopened the temple, which has been closed for 46 years, on Saturday.
Bhasma Shankar Mandir located in Khaggu Sarai area under Nakhasa police station houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivlinga.
Locals claim that the temple has been closed since 1978 after communal riots in which the local Hindu community was displaced.
Deputy Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra, who is spearheading the drive against power theft in the area, said, “We stumbled upon this temple while inspecting the area. After knowing this, I immediately informed the district administration.
“We all came here together and decided to open the temple,” said Mishra, “The temple has been closed for decades and has been closed since 1978, as confirmed by local residents.
There is also a well near the temple which the authorities plan to reopen.
Local residents shared their memories of the temple, with many highlighting its importance as a place of worship for the community.
Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, the 82-year-old patron of the Nagar Hindu Mahasabha, shared his personal connection with the temple.
“I have lived in Khaggu Sarai since I was born. After the riots of 1978, our community was forced to migrate from the area. This temple dedicated to our patriarch has been locked ever since,” said Rastogi.
Weeks after four people died in violence during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in this Uttar Pradesh district, the administration has launched a drive to curb encroachment and electricity theft in areas surrounding the Mughal-era mosque.
Khaggu Sarai is just one kilometer away from Jama Masjid.
Violence broke out in Sambhal on November 24 over the survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area. Four people died in the violence and many others including policemen were injured.
An imam of another mosque in Sambhal was fined Rs 2 lakh on Friday for using loudspeakers at high volume, officials said.
According to administration officials, the incident took place at Anar Wali Mosque in Kot Garvi area.
According to the order passed by the SDM, the Imam was directed to refrain from such conduct for the next six months.
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