A team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will survey the ‘ancient’ Kartikeshwar Mahadev temple recently opened by the district administration at Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh on Friday afternoon.
Heavy police has been deployed in the temple since morning to prevent any untoward incident during the survey due to the violence that resulted in the death of four people during the survey by the court-appointed team on November 24 in Shahi Jam. Masjid based on a petition claiming that a temple there was bulldozed for a mosque.
The ASI team reached Moradabad on Thursday evening and plans to start the survey after Friday prayers at the Shahi Masjid, police said.
The temple, which is said to have been closed for the past 46 years, was found in Khaggu Sarai area on January 14, when a massive campaign was underway in Sambhal city against electricity theft and irregular electricity connection. The structure is estimated to be 400 to 500 years old, local residents said, adding that an ASI survey would determine its exact age.
When District Judge Dr. Rajendra Pensia and Superintendent of Police Krishnakant Bishnoi opened the main door of the temple, they found broken idols of Parvati’s three sons Ganesha and Kartikeya inside. The broken statues are now in the possession of the local administration.
The District Magistrate then wrote to the ASI requesting a carbon dating survey of the temple, idols and outside well.
Local residents and members of Hindu organizations have been offering regular worship at the temple since January 15.
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