BAREILLY: Kirtans and bhajans echoed through the Shiv-Hanuman temple in Sambhal two days after its reopening on December 14, which had remained abandoned for 46 years following the 1978 riots.
The temple, located in Khaggu Sarai, had remained locked since 1978, following riots that forced many Hindus to flee the area.
Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, 82, whose family was responsible for the temple's upkeep, recounted how his family had to leave the area. "In 1978, riots broke out, and we had to abandon the temple. My nephew locked the doors, and we left to ensure our safety. Over the years, no one encroached on the temple, but it remained neglected," he said.
Rastogi added that his family sold their ancestral home after moving to a safer locality. "At that time, there were 25 to 30 Hindu families here, all of whom left after the riots. It is a relief to see the temple reopening," he added.
Authorities deployed a priest to conduct daily rituals at the temple. Shashikant Shukla, the priest who performed the first aarti, said, "Regular rituals will be conducted to restore the spiritual essence of this temple."
Mohd Haneef, an 88-year-old resident, said, "I remember the temple from my childhood. It was left abandoned in the 1980s but has always been a part of this area's heritage."
Police increased security around the site, checking vehicles entering Sambhal.
On Monday, the district administration officially renamed the temple "Sambhaleshwar Mahadev" and announced plans for its restoration following the discovery of idols of Parvati, Lakshmi, and Ganesha in an ancient well.
District magistrate Rajender Pensiya said, "The temple will undergo restoration and get a complete makeover. Efforts are being made to protect the site and its surroundings." Sambhal ASP Shrish Chandra said broken idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya were found during the excavation of an ancient well.
"The excavation is ongoing, and investigations are being carried out to determine the condition and origin of the idols," he said.
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