History is turning a new page in Sambhal. Once overshadowed by riots, migration, and illegal encroachments, the city now witnesses a renewed dawn of faith, spirituality, and security. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Sambhal has regained its mythological identity as the city of Lord Kalki.
At 2 a.m. on Friday, the 24-Kosi Parikrama, covering 68 sacred sites and 19 ancient wells, commenced from the historic Shri Vansh Gopal site in Benipur Chak, in the presence of millions of devotees, reports said on Saturday.
Amid the sound of conch shells, devotional hymns, and chants of victory, this pilgrimage has resumed after a 46-year hiatus. Interrupted in 1978 due to communal riots, the tradition has been revived in 2024 through the efforts of the Yogi government.
According to religious belief, participation in the pilgrimage fulfills all desires and grants the soul liberation (moksha). The journey begins at Shri Vansh Gopal Teerth, passes through Bhuvaneshwar, Kshemanath, and Chandeshwar Teerths, and returns to Shri Vansh Gopal Teerth. Between these three main sacred sites lie 87 smaller shrines, reflecting Sambhal’s rich spiritual heritage.
The 1978 riots left deep scars on Sambhal’s social fabric, fostering fear, mistrust, and decades of migration. Hindu families abandoned their homes, shops, and land; temples were encroached upon, and religious events came to a halt.
However, after Yogi Adityanath assumed office as Chief Minister in 2017, the situation transformed completely. CM Yogi took Sambhal’s condition seriously, and a judicial commission’s report exposed long-suppressed truths.
Under political protection, attempts had been made to disturb the population balance, forcing Hindus to migrate in a planned manner. The Yogi government responded decisively—those involved in riot conspiracies were jailed, illegal encroachments were cleared, and communal politics were firmly curbed.
The Uttar Pradesh government carried out a historic, large-scale removal of encroachments in Sambhal. Under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, 495 cases were filed, of which 243 were resolved, resulting in the removal of 1,067 encroachments and freeing 68.94 hectares of land.
Additionally, decisive action was taken against illegal encroachments on religious sites. In a special campaign, 37 unauthorized structures were removed, including 16 mosques, 12 mazars, seven graveyards, and two madrasas—freeing 2.623 hectares of land. Simultaneously, conservation and beautification work began at 68 ancient sacred sites and 19 historic wells. Restoration is also underway at several ancient temples, including the Kalki Avatar Temple.
Law and order in Sambhal have been significantly strengthened. Over the past few years, the Yogi government has established two new police stations and 45 additional outposts, with CCTV surveillance and drone monitoring in sensitive areas. Alongside strict action against criminals, efforts have been made to rebuild social trust.
Campaigns against electricity theft have reduced line losses from 82% to 18%, saving ₹84 crore in public funds. Economically, Sambhal has also shown remarkable progress, recording export revenues of ₹2,405 crore—ranking 10th in the state. Under the ‘One District, One Product’ initiative, Sambhal’s metallic, wooden, and handicraft products are steadily gaining recognition in international markets.