After a gap of 46 years, the Shiv-Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal was reopened. An excavation team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) unearthed a stepwell in the Chandausi area of the district on Sunday.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Excavation work being carried out at an age-old Baori located in the Chandausi area of Sambhal pic.twitter.com/6meYAoStpg
— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2024
While speaking to ANI, Sambhal’s District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya said that a ‘baoli’ with an area of 400 square meters has been uncovered. This structure has around four chambers and a few floors which are made of marble.
“An area of around 400 square meters, is recorded in the form of Ah-Baoli Talab. It is said that this baoli was built during the time of the king of the grandfather of Bilari’s king. The second and third floor is made up of marble and the upper floors are made of bricks. As we saw (from the excavation), around four chambers are there,” Pensiya was quoted by ANI.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Sambhal DM Dr Rajender Pensiya says, “… This matter was brought to our notice yesterday during the public hearing. The Nagar Palika team is removing the topsoil. At present only 210 square meters are outside and the rest is occupied. Action will be taken… https://t.co/GPGizmZbBV pic.twitter.com/UAq2o80Gio
— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2024
The District Magistrate said that the work began after a public meeting on Saturday.
“The structure is fully covered in mud, the Nagar Palika team is removing the topsoil. At present only 210 square meters are outside and the rest is occupied. Action will be taken to remove the encroachment” he said.
Pensiya estimated the structure could be 150 years old, and they began work as soon as they got information about the structure underground. “As soon as we came to know that there is a babri here we started the excavation work here, as we continue the work, we will come to know more about this. We will try our best to restore this, we are working to see what all is here,” said Krishna Kumar Sonkar, Municipal Corporation’s Executive Officer.
On Saturday, an ASI team surveyed the Kalki Vishnu Temple in Sambhal. This was following an inspection by a four-member ASI team of five shrines and 19 wells in the district. Pensiya said that the inspection lasted about 8 to 10 hours and covered about 24 sites.
He further said that a new temple was also inspected, during the ancient temple was also surveyed. ASI will submit its report to us… a total of around 24 areas were surveyed,” the district magistrate Pensiya said.
