Three idols recovered from well near reopened Shiva-Hanuman temple in Sambhal

Three idols were recovered from a well near the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following the temple's reopening during an anti-encroachment drive.

The temple, which had reportedly remained closed since 1978, was reopened on December 14 as part of an encroachment clearance operation carried out by the local police and administration.

Sambhal Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra said, "These are broken idols that were found during the digging of a well. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha. The other one seems to be of Lord Kartikeya, more details are being sought. There was debris and soil in the well. The idols were discovered when it was dug...The area has been secured so that excavation can be done smoothly." On Monday, devotees painted 'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Har Har Mahadeva' slogans on the walls of the temple.

Following its reopening, the temple premises were cleaned, and electricity connections were restored with the installation of CCTV cameras for security purposes.

On Sunday, Sambhal's Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar and District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya visited the site and offered prayers at the temple.

Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, patron of the Nagar Hindu Sabha, confirmed that the temple had been reopened after 46 years. He explained that the temple had remained closed due to the absence of a resident priest.

Sambhal Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra announced plans to restore the original structure of the temple.

SDM Vandana Mishra stated, "The temple premises have been cleaned, and electricity arrangements have been made. CCTVs Cameras are being installed for security. The anti-encroachment drive targeted only structures built on public property. We will restore the temple to its original structure." She added, "We have written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)... Police will be deployed near the temple."