Thousands of devotees thronged the ancient Kartikeya Mahadev Temple in Sambhal’s Khaggu Sarai locality on the first Monday of the holy month of Shravan, marking the temple’s first Shravan celebration in 46 years.
Also known as Bhasma Shankar Temple, the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple drew massive crowds as worshippers arrived to perform ‘Rudrabhishek’ and ‘Jalabhishek’ rituals amid tight security. Other Shiv temples across the district too witnessed heavy footfall as a spiritual fervour swept the region.
The temple was reopened on 13 December last year after authorities uncovered its covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple, which had remained shut since 1978, houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.
Situated just over a kilometre from the Shahi Jama Masjid — the site of violence on 24 November last year during a protest over a court-ordered mosque survey — the temple has become a symbol of spiritual revival for the local Hindu community. Four people were killed and several, including police personnel, were injured in the violence last year.
On Monday, special rituals were conducted between 1 pm and 3 pm. The 24-Kosi Parikrama Samiti organised the ceremonies under the guidance of Acharya Pandit Vineet Sharma, Pandit Vishal Sharma and Pandit Vaibhav Shastri, who led prayers with Vedic chants.
Local police and Rapid Response Force personnel were deployed for security, and CCTV cameras monitored the premises as devotees offered water to Lord Shiv, praying for the fulfilment of their wishes.
Kailash Chandra, a devotee, expressed his happiness at the temple’s reopening, calling it “a symbol of harmony and devotion” in a Muslim-majority area. “The atmosphere here is filled with divine energy as people from different areas join in the Shravan Mahotsav celebrations,” he said.
Rajkumar Sharma of the Parikrama Samiti told the media agency, “This is a momentous occasion for all of us. After 46 years, the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple was reopened, and it witnessed the first Shravan Monday after over four decades. Thousands of devotees have gathered to perform rituals.”
VHP district president Anant Agarwal and former MP Rajkumar Verma were among those who participated in the religious ceremonies.
The Parikrama Samiti has also planned ‘Rudrabhishek’ ceremonies every Monday during Shravan at four other major Shiv temples in the district — Kartikeshwar Temple, Sambhaleshwar Temple, Chandreshwar Temple and Bhuvaneshwar Temple.
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