'Aarti' performed at reopened Shiva temple in Sambhal home; admin plans to restore original structure

SAMBHAL: A prayer ceremony (aarti) was performed at the recently opened Lord Shiva and Hanuman temple in the district. This comes after the administration discovered the shrine on Saturday during the inspection being carried out in connection to the issue of electricity theft in the area.
"We came in the morning and cleaned the temple to perform the aarti. A Brahmin should be appointed here so that he can stay here. Till the time caretaker (for this temple) is appointed, we will take responsibility," Acharya Brahm Shukla, who performed the ceremony, said.
"I came to see the temple and performed the puja. This temple is around 400 years old. I had come here years ago and there were dharamshalas around the temple. But now only houses remain. I had seen on TV and Whatsapp. Thus, I came to see the temple. This is a Lord Shiva and Hanuman temple," Rajiv Kumar Gupta, a devotee, said.

Sambhal sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra announced plans to restore the original structure of a temple that reopened on Saturday after 46 years.
The temple premises have been cleaned and arrangements for electricity have been made. Moreover, CCTV cameras have also been installed for security reasons.
Earlier, CO Anuj Kumar Chaudhary revealed that the temple was discovered during an inspection related to encroachment complaints.
The DM said that an ancient well was also uncovered after the removal of a ramp constructed over it.