A few days after the discovery of a Lord Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, an ancient Lord Shiva temple has been unearthed in Varanasi's Madanpura area. The temple came to light on December 16 during an anti-encroachment operation in the locality.
Efforts are currently underway to reopen the temple, which is approximately 250 years old. Located in a Muslim-majority area of Varanasi, the temple has remained locked for nearly 40 years.
250-year-old temple uncovered in Varanasi (Source: TOI)
Standing about 40 feet tall, the ancient structure is in a deteriorated state and currently filled with debris. The discovery also included a house where a Muslim family had been residing. According to media reports, the family has agreed to facilitate the reopening of the temple.
Following this, a post began circulating on social media with the message, "Pay attention, a Shiv temple is locked in the lanes of Kashi." In response, Sanatan Raksha Dal state president Ajay Sharma and his team visited the location.
Ajay Sharma mentioned that the temple is called the Siddheshwar Mahadev temple, and a famous sacred site, Siddhatirtha, is located nearby.
Sharma also informed the police, who subsequently arrived at the scene and questioned the local residents about the temple. In the meantime, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya suggested that worship at the temple would begin soon. "Whenever there is suppression, wherever temples are found, worship will be conducted there," the UP Deputy CM told a news outlet.
A letter has also been sent to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging the unlocking of the temple. BT was unable to independently verify the media reports.
Meanwhile, Senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav accused certain groups of trying to disrupt the country’s communal harmony by raising such issues.
Earlier, a Hanuman temple was uncovered in Sambhal during an anti-encroachment operation by the local administration in the Sarayatrin area. The police had the temple unlocked, revealing a statue of Lord Hanuman and statues of Radha Krishna.
Reopened After Being Closed Since the 1978 Riots: Ancient Lord Hanuman-Shiva Temple
After 45 years of closure, the doors of the Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal were reopened on Friday. Located in Khaggu Sarai, the temple had remained shut since 1978 due to communal riots that displaced the local Hindu community.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva, was unexpectedly rediscovered by officials during an anti-encroachment operation. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra, who was spearheading the operation, stated, “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 mentioned that the temple had been closed for several decades, with local residents confirming it had been locked since 1978.
For the local community, this reopening is not only about restoring a place of worship but also about reestablishing a connection with a significant part of their history.
"An Integral Part of Our Heritage"
Elderly residents, such as 82-year-old Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, clearly recall the importance of the temple. “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.
Some, such as Mukesh Rastogi, discussed the historical significance of the temple. “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.
Revitalizing the Site
The temple serves not only as a place of worship but also contains a well, which authorities intend to restore in the near future.
The reopening is part of a broader administrative initiative aimed at addressing encroachments and electricity theft around Sambhal’s Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. The district has recently gained attention due to tensions surrounding a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The violence on November 24 resulted in four deaths and numerous injuries, including those of police officers.
Taking Action Against Noise Violations
In a separate action, authorities imposed a Rs 2 lakh fine on the imam of Anar Wali Masjid for using a loudspeaker at an excessive volume. The administration has issued a warning against such violations in the future.
For the residents of Sambhal, the reopening of the Bhasma Shankar temple holds greater significance than a mere headline. It serves as a bittersweet reminder of the town's troubled past and a step toward healing.
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