Devotees flocked to the Shri Kartik Mahadev Temple, also known as the Bhasma Shankar Temple, in the Khaggu Sarai area on Tuesday, December 17, to offer prayers to a long-hidden idol of Lord Hanuman. The temple, which had remained locked for 46 years, was reopened on December 13 after being rediscovered during an anti-encroachment drive.
Tuesday, considered sacred for worshipping Lord Hanuman, saw a significant turnout of devotees. “The temple was cleaned around 4 am. A chola (cloth meant for gods and goddesses) was offered to Lord Hanuman, and the Hanuman Chalisa was recited,” said temple priest Shashikant Shukla. He also mentioned that the sanctum sanctorum was adorned with the shringaar (decoration) of Lord Shiva.
The reopening of the temple has sparked devotion and curiosity among locals and visitors alike. “Such an ancient temple has opened after 46 years. Tuesday, being devoted to Lord Hanuman, I have come to visit with my family,” said Vikki Kumar, a devotee.
The Shri Kartik Mahadev Temple was originally shut in 1978. Rediscovered during a recent anti-encroachment drive, it revealed an idol of Lord Hanuman, a shivling, and a nearby well. The Sambhal district administration has since written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for carbon dating to determine the age of the temple and its artifacts.
“Heart Aches for the Years in Darkness”
Shukla, the temple priest, expressed a deep emotional connection to the temple’s rediscovery. “My heart aches, thinking of the years that the idols had remained in darkness,” he said, while also thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the district magistrate, and the superintendent of police for their role in reopening the temple.
The temple’s location, just over a kilometer from the Shahi Jama Masjid, where violence erupted on November 24 during a protest over a court-ordered survey of the mosque, has added an intriguing layer to the rediscovery. District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya confirmed ongoing excavation and said, “First, the temple’s pracheentaa (antiquity) will be ensured.”
Excavation and Structural Adjustments
The temple has already revealed three damaged idols found in its well during excavation on Monday. Further digging is underway to uncover additional details about its historical significance.
Meanwhile, the reopening has also sparked adjustments among nearby structures flagged for encroachment. Mateen Ahmed, whose house is situated opposite the temple, addressed concerns about his property. “There is a balcony in the upper portion that extends about two-and-a-half feet. This part is an encroachment. We have spoken to the administration and are getting it removed,” he said, adding that the work would be completed in four to five days.
Ahmed also emphasized precautions taken to protect the temple during the demolition process. “I covered my balcony to ensure the temple wasn’t damaged,” he explained.
A Step Toward Revival
As devotees continue to gather, the district administration plans to preserve and potentially beautify the temple, ensuring it receives its due recognition. Carbon dating results are awaited to unravel the temple’s historical roots further.
For locals and devotees, the reopening of the Shri Kartik Mahadev Temple is more than just an archaeological find—it is a moment of spiritual and cultural revival. The temple’s past, shrouded in mystery for nearly half a century, now stands as a beacon of faith and history in Sambhal.