ASI examines reopened temple, other Hindu religious structures

Sambhal admn had written to ASI to conduct a survey and carbon-date the temple and other religious structures in the vicinity of Kartikeya temple in Khaggu Sarai locality

- Pawan Dixit

LUCKNOW: A four-member team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday carried out a survey and carbon dating at the Kartikeya temple (Shri Kartik Mahadev temple also known as Bhasma Shankar temple) at Khaggu Sarai in Sambhal and five other Hindu pilgrimage sites, including Bhadrak Ashram, Swargdeep and Chakrapani. The team also examined artefacts recovered from 19 wells.

The temple was reopened after 46 years on December 13 after the authorities said they stumbled upon the structure during a drive against power theft. It had remained locked since 1978. The temple has an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.

During the survey and carbon dating by the ASI team, the media was barred.