Illegal digging at forts and temples rumoured to have hidden treasures has caused havoc at Uttar Pradesh in India.

Shobhan Sarkar, the seer who had "dreamt" about 1,000 tonne gold buried under Unnao's Daundia Khera fort, had said the precious metal was hidden in Fatehpur's Adampur area as well.

As the rumours spread, some people dug up the platform of an ancient Shiva temple near the Ganga's main ghat in Fatehpur.

Most recent reports have said that about two dozen sites have been affected. It was also rumoured that the diggers had fled with some gold.

Residents claimed Mahant Mohandas, who lives near the temple, was held at gunpoint during digging forcing authorities to cordon off the temple.

Fatehpur district magistrate Abhay Kumar said security personnel have been deployed to prevent a repeat of such activity.

Sarkar's disciple, Om Ji, had claimed "no less than 2,500 tonne of gold is hidden in the ruins in Adampur village". He said Adampur is located on the Ganga banks and was associated with 1857 revolt like Daundiya Khera. Om Ji asked the district administration to commission digging since the treasure in Adampur was easier to retrieve.