An ancient religious site in Sambhal has been freed from alleged encroachment as the district administration carried out an anti-encroachment drive at Kanwalpur Sarai village. Officials claim the site is the historic Vagbharti Jalteerth, which is also mentioned in the Skanda Purana.
The digging work was done under the watch of the Tehsildar. During this time, officials cleared the area around the pond, the path to the shrine, and the nearby cremation ground. Local people said that a man named Anwar had taken over the path and some parts of the religious site for many years through a questionable land deal.
What did the villagers say?
Villagers say the site has been associated with the Hindu faith and traditions for generations. Residents claim that whenever weddings or religious ceremonies take place in the area, families visit the Jalteerth to collect sacred soil. The oil used during rituals is traditionally prepared on clay stoves made from this soil.
Local resident Kamal Basra said elders in the village have long spoken about the importance of the site. According to him, devotees from different localities regularly visit the pond to offer prayers, especially during weddings and auspicious occasions. He added that people believe bathing in the pond helps cleanse sins.
A woman aged over 60 also said she has witnessed devotees visiting the site for decades. According to her, people have been coming to the Jalteerth for nearly 85 years, and the soil from the pond continues to hold religious significance during marriage ceremonies.
Yogendra, a local resident, said that encroachment had made it hard for people to get to the shrine for a long time. He also said that the administration’s recent actions have allowed public access to the religious site again, making the villagers happy and relieved.
