After being locked for 45 years, the doors of the Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal were finally reopened on Friday. The temple, located in Khaggu Sarai, had been shut since 1978, following communal riots that displaced the local Hindu community.
The rediscovery of this ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva, came as a surprise to officials during an anti-encroachment drive. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra, who was leading the drive, said, “While inspecting the region, we stumbled upon this temple. Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities.”
“We all came here together and decided to reopen the temple,” Mishra said, adding that the temple had been closed for decades and the local residents confirmed it had been locked since 1978.
For the locals, this reopening is not just about reviving a place of worship but also reconnecting with a part of their history.
‘It’s part of our heritage’
Elderly residents like 82-year-old Vishnu Shankar Rastogi vividly remember the temple’s significance. “I have lived in Khaggu Sarai since my birth. After the 1978 riots, our community was forced to migrate from the area. This temple, dedicated to our Kulguru, has been locked since then,” he shared.
Others, like Mukesh Rastogi, spoke about the temple’s historical value. “We had heard a lot about this temple from our ancestors. It is an ancient temple but it was closed long ago because people only a particular community lived there. We have heard that this temple must be at least 500 years old,” he said.
Sanjay Sankhydhar, another resident, added, “People’s sorrows were relieved by visiting here. But it was closed for a long time. Now the people here will visit again and earn the benefits of virtue,” he said.
Efforts to revive the site
The temple isn’t just a place of prayer—it also houses a well that authorities plan to restore soon.
The reopening comes amid a larger administrative campaign targeting encroachments and electricity theft around Sambhal’s Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. The district has been in the spotlight recently due to clashes over a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The November 24 violence left four dead and many injured, including police officers.
Action against noise violations
In a separate move, authorities fined the imam of Anar Wali Masjid Rs 2 lakh for using a loudspeaker at high volume. The administration has warned against similar violations in the future.
For the people of Sambhal, the reopening of the Bhasma Shankar temple is more than just a headline. It’s a bittersweet reminder of the town’s turbulent history—and a step towards healing.