Days after a temple locked since 1978 was reopened in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, efforts are now underway to reopen a Shiv temple, reportedly 250 years old, in the Madanpura area of Varanasi that has been closed for nearly 40 years.

Sambhal: People gathered for morning prayers at the Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, which reopened on December 14 after remaining closed since 1978. The temple was rediscovered during an anti-encroachment drive led by local district police and administration.

Local Hindus have been performing puja at the temple, which is close to Shahi Jama Masjid, since the Sambhal police and district administration unlocked its main gate on Saturday.

Damaged idols of Parvati, Ganesh, and Lakshmi found in a well at a recently reopened Sambhal temple spark investigation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the Winter Session of the Assembly on Monday, accused the Opposition of turning a blind eye to violence against Hindus in Sambhal in the state. Yogi Adityanath stated that 209 Hindus have been killed in communal incidents in Sambhal since 1947.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday defended the recent survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, asserting that the exercise, conducted on court orders, was disrupted due to provocative speeches during Friday prayers.

The idols were found in the well near the Shiv-Hanuman Temple, which was opened on Saturday, December 14 after being closed for the last 46 years

The temple, located in Khaggu Sarai is just over a kilometre away from the Jama Masjid which is situated in Kot Garvi area.

Three broken idols, including one of Lord Ganesh and possibly Lord Kartikeya, were discovered during well excavation near a recently reopened Shiv-Han