After a local resident filed a complaint, the Sambhal district administration has started looking into the ruins of the Banke Bihari temple in Chandausi. The temple, built in 1870, holds carvings of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and symbols of Lord Shiva.
“This temple has been neglected for years. It’s a center of faith for Hindus, and its condition is heartbreaking,” said Kaushal Kishore, who reported the matter to the district magistrate on December 21.
Chandausi tehsildar Dhirendra Singh confirmed that a team has been sent to determine the temple’s age and understand why it was destroyed. “If we find encroachment, we will act immediately to clear it,” Singh said. He also mentioned that the temple spans over 1.137 hectares.
Locals say the temple fell into ruin after its priest was murdered, leading many Hindus to leave the area. In 2010, the situation worsened when miscreants vandalized the idols. “The authorities back then ignored the issue, but now it’s time to restore this temple,” Kishore added.
This investigation comes after the reopening of the Shri Kartik Mahadev temple (Bhasma Shankar temple) on December 13. It had been locked since 1978 and was rediscovered during an anti-encroachment drive.
The Banke Bihari temple is located near the Shahi Jama Masjid, where violence broke out on November 24 during a protest over a court-ordered survey. Four people were killed, and several others, including police officers, were injured.
“Restoring the temple will bring peace and faith back to the area,” said Kishore. Many locals are hopeful that the authorities will prioritize the renovation of the ancient structure.
