• Source:JND
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Days after an ancient Shiv temple was found during an anti-encroachment drive in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, a damaged idol of Goddess Parvati was discovered on Monday during the excavation of the temple koop (well), DM Dr Rajender Pensiya said. As the newfound discoveries made news headlines, the administration also wrote to the Archeological Survey of India for a scientific investigation to determine the age of the temple, idols and the well.

DM Pensiya said that the temple may be around 400-500 years old, adding that the district administration will revive all the water bodies which have been encroached upon in the region. He further urged the residents to inform the admin if they come across any ancient heritage.

"We have written to the ASI for a scientific investigation. A 'koop' (well) has been found near the temple. It is said to be 400-500 years old. Around 10-12 feet were excavated yesterday. Today, after excavating another 5-6 feet, a damaged idol of Mata Parvati was discovered. Two more idols were found after that," DM said.

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"There are a lot of wells here which have been buried because of unawareness or encroachment. We will revive all the water bodies... Our team has been excavating for the last 2 weeks and things are being recovered one by one. I request the people to inform us if they come across any ancient heritage... We will preserve everything for the future," he added.

Meanwhile, Vishnu Shankar Jain, an advocate of the Sambhal survey petitioner, said that the unearthing of the temple proved their claim that Sambhal was an ancient pilgrimage site.

"In Sambhal, the district administration discovered a temple which was closed for 46 years... All this proves that our ancient map, which I always said existed, has been unearthed and proves that Sambhal is a pilgrimage site... In the vicinity of the temple, many wells and other temples are being discovered which proves the ancient map of the area," Jain said.

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Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, also touched upon the Sambhal issue in the ongoing state assembly session on Monday.

"The survey was being carried out on the orders of the honourable court. It was successfully carried out on November 19, then 21 and on 24th it was the speeches made during the Friday prayers, which triggered the public to attack the police teams," CM said.