[Watch] ASI Team Surveys Newly-Found Temple, Wells In Sambhal

New Delhi: A four-member team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday inspected the newly-found ancient Shiva temple, 5 ‘teerth’ and 19 wells in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal.

“In Sambhal, 5 ‘teerth’ and 19 wells were inspected by ASI. The temple that was found was also inspected. The survey took around 8-10 hours. In total around 24 areas were surveyed,” district magistrate Pensiya told ANI.

The ASI will submit a report to the district administration based on their findings and observations.

The Sambhal district administration had written to the ASI for carbon dating of the temple and the well, PTI reported.

The ‘ancient’ Shri Kartik Mahadev Temple (Bhasma Shankar temple) was reopened for prayers on December 13 after it was discovered by officials during an anti-encroachment drive near the Shahi Jama Masjid. The temple was allegedly closed since communal riots took place in the area in 1978 and led to displacement of Hindu families.

This temple was discovered after clashes between police and residents in the area over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The violence on November 24 resulted in five people losing their lives and left 20 police officers injured. Police forces have been deployed around the site since then.

The Supreme Court earlier this month directed courts across the country not to entertain or pass orders in any fresh suit or plea seeking survey of mosques to determine whether temples lie beneath them.