People gathered for morning prayers at the reopened Shiv-Hanuman temple in Sambhal

Sambhal: The Shiv-Hanuman Temple at Sambhal, which had been shuttered since 1978, reopened on December 14 and drew crowds for morning prayers. The local district police and administration launched an anti-encroachment campaign during which the temple was rediscovered. The goal of the effort was to remove unauthorized encroachments from the region.

Since the reopening was a momentous occasion for the community, images show that security guards were stationed outside to guarantee safety.

Following its reopening on Monday, CCTV cameras were installed for security reasons, and the temple’s grounds were cleaned and electrical connections restored.

The Nagar Hindu Sabha’s patron, Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, acknowledged that the temple had been closed for 46 years, mostly because there was no permanent priest.

On December 14, the temple, which had apparently been shuttered since 1978, reopened as part of a local government and police encroachment removal effort.

While the temple was being restored, three idols were discovered next to a nearby spring. In an attempt to restore the temple to its former glory, the idols are now being conserved.

According to Sambhal Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra, “We discovered these damaged idols as we were excavating the well. An idol of Lord Ganesh is present. More information is being sought on the other one, which seems to be of Lord Kartikeya. The well contained dirt and trash. When it was dug up, the idols were found.To ensure a smooth excavating process, the area has been guarded.

The encroachment clearance operation had only targeted buildings that were intruding on public property, according to Sambhal’s Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Vandana Mishra, who also highlighted efforts to restore the temple to its previous splendor.

“Arrangements for power have been made, and the temple grounds have been cleansed. For security, CCTVs are being installed. The only buildings targeted by the anti-encroachment campaign were those constructed on public land. SDM Mishra said, “We will return the temple to its original configuration.”

Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, attacked the previous Samajwadi Party administration on Monday, saying they had been blocking the reopening of the historic Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for more than 40 years. “Since 1978, they (the Samajwadi Party) have never permitted the opening of the temple, which is now being opened,” CM Yogi said while addressing the state legislature.