YEARS
Officials had earlier said that the temple was discovered during an anti-encroachment operation. Officials described the discovery as unplanned. Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra, who was leading a campaign against electricity theft in the area. He said that while inspecting the area, our eyes fell on this temple. Upon noticing this, I immediately informed the district authorities.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted carbon dating at the Kartikeya Temple in Sambhal, UP. The temple was reopened on 13 December after being closed for 46 years. According to local accounts, the temple had been closed since 1978 after the local Hindu community was displaced due to communal riots. The district magistrate of the district said the ASI inspection was carried out carefully, with a four-member team monitoring the process. Officials conducted carbon dating and inspected 19 wells as well as five nearby pilgrimage sites including Bhadrak Ashram, Swargadeep and Chakrapani. The ASI had requested the local administration to ensure that their inspection activities remain away from the media spotlight.
Officials had earlier said that the temple was discovered during an anti-encroachment operation. Officials described the discovery as unplanned. Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra, who was leading a campaign against electricity theft in the area. He said that while inspecting the area, our eyes fell on this temple. Upon noticing this, I immediately informed the district authorities.
After reopening the temple, three idols of about four to six inches were found during the excavation of a well near it. Two statues, seemingly of goddesses Parvati and Lakshmi, were found in a damaged condition when workers excavated to a depth of 15 to 20 feet. After the discovery of the idols and well in the temple, the Sambhal administration wrote to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct carbon dating of the temple.
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