Bareilly: The Moradabad district administration and municipal corporation have “reopened” the Gauri Shankar temple, which was closed for 44 years following riots in the city in 1980. Officials said on Tuesday while “unlocking” the mandir that during the violence which had then erupted, the mandir’s priest was killed and idols vandalised. Damaged idols of Nandi, Hanuman, and a Shivalingam were discovered after an “excavation” in the Nagphani area on Monday.
This comes after reopening of long-abandoned temples in Sambhal, Muzaffarnagar and Aligarh, many in Muslim-majority areas.In Sambhal, a Shiva-Hanuman temple in Khaggu Sarai, closed since 1978 following communal riots, was reopened on Dec 14 after authorities cleared encroachments. On Dec 18 and 19, two abandoned temples, including a 50-year-old Shiva temple in Sarai Rehman, were “rediscovered” and reopened in Aligarh after decades.
The Moradabad temple, in predominantly Muslim Jhabbu Ka Nala locality, was had been sealed after the 1980 riots. Last week, the priest’s grandson, Seva Ram, submitted an application to DM Anuj Singh requesting the temple’s reopening. On Saturday, a team from the administration and police inspected the site and planned the operation. The walls blocking the sanctum were then demolished under tight security, revealing the temple structure.
Sub-divisional magistrate Ram Mohan Meena said, “During excavation, we found an idol of Hanuman on the temple wall. There was a spot for the Shiva lingam on the ground, but it is missing. A Nandi idol was placed near the Shivling spot. Arrangements will now be made for the safe preservation and worship of these statues.”
Meena added that the walls obliterating the temple’s entrance were constructed illegally, making access impossible for decades. These barriers were removed as part of the reopening process. The idols and the place are being cleaned, and authorities are preparing a report for the government. “The age of these statues is still unclear, with varying opinions from people. After fixing the temple’s arrangements, a report will be sent to higher authorities,” Meena said
Local residents gathered in large as the excavation, supervised by Meena and assistant engineer Raees Ahmed, began. There were forces from two police stations to maintain peace. Meena “investigated the temple’s history”, revealing that Bhimsen, the great-grandfather of the petitioner Seva Ram, once maintained it.
Violence had erupted in Moradabad on Eid in 1980 when a pig purportedly entered the Shahi Eidgah. As per Justice MP Saxena’s report, at least 83 people died in the riots that followed. A mob allegedly killed Bhimsen, and his body was never recovered. After the violence, Bhimsen’s family relocated, and the temple was neglected.
This comes after reopening of long-abandoned temples in Sambhal, Muzaffarnagar and Aligarh, many in Muslim-majority areas.In Sambhal, a Shiva-Hanuman temple in Khaggu Sarai, closed since 1978 following communal riots, was reopened on Dec 14 after authorities cleared encroachments. On Dec 18 and 19, two abandoned temples, including a 50-year-old Shiva temple in Sarai Rehman, were “rediscovered” and reopened in Aligarh after decades.
The Moradabad temple, in predominantly Muslim Jhabbu Ka Nala locality, was had been sealed after the 1980 riots. Last week, the priest’s grandson, Seva Ram, submitted an application to DM Anuj Singh requesting the temple’s reopening. On Saturday, a team from the administration and police inspected the site and planned the operation. The walls blocking the sanctum were then demolished under tight security, revealing the temple structure.
Sub-divisional magistrate Ram Mohan Meena said, “During excavation, we found an idol of Hanuman on the temple wall. There was a spot for the Shiva lingam on the ground, but it is missing. A Nandi idol was placed near the Shivling spot. Arrangements will now be made for the safe preservation and worship of these statues.”
Meena added that the walls obliterating the temple’s entrance were constructed illegally, making access impossible for decades. These barriers were removed as part of the reopening process. The idols and the place are being cleaned, and authorities are preparing a report for the government. “The age of these statues is still unclear, with varying opinions from people. After fixing the temple’s arrangements, a report will be sent to higher authorities,” Meena said
Local residents gathered in large as the excavation, supervised by Meena and assistant engineer Raees Ahmed, began. There were forces from two police stations to maintain peace. Meena “investigated the temple’s history”, revealing that Bhimsen, the great-grandfather of the petitioner Seva Ram, once maintained it.
Violence had erupted in Moradabad on Eid in 1980 when a pig purportedly entered the Shahi Eidgah. As per Justice MP Saxena’s report, at least 83 people died in the riots that followed. A mob allegedly killed Bhimsen, and his body was never recovered. After the violence, Bhimsen’s family relocated, and the temple was neglected.
