Hours after this development, a second temple was discovered in Sambhal. While the first one was discovered on 14 December in Khaggusarai area, the second is found in the Hayat Nagar area.

Days after a temple locked since 1978 was reopened in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, efforts are now underway to reopen a Shiv temple, reportedly 250 years old, in the Madanpura area of Varanasi that has been closed for nearly 40 years.

Ajay Sharma, State President of Sanatan Raksha Dal, said the organisation has requested the district administration to grant permission to open the temple and allow prayers.

Days after a Lord Hanuman temple was discovered in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, an ancient Lord Shiva temple has been found in Varanasi's Madanpura area. The temple was discovered on December 16 during an anti-encroachment drive in the area.

A locked structure, believed to be an ancient temple, was discovered in a residential neighbourhood of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.

The temple, which had reportedly remained closed since 1978, was reopened on December 14 as part of an encroachment clearance operation carried out by local police and administration.

The idols were found in the well near the Shiv-Hanuman Temple, which was opened on Saturday, December 14 after being closed for the last 46 years