Monumental neglect of Kaleshwar temples

AMONGST the lesser known temples of the Kangra valley, the Shiva temple at Kaleshwar, popularly known as the “other Hardwar”, has stood the ravages of time.

Legend has it that Uma, the divine consort of Lord Shiva, sat here in a trance for 12,000 years to attain ‘moksha’. Gratified at the meditation, Lord Shiva asked her to make a wish. The goddess asked for the construction of a temple at the site. The temple that emerged at the site, came to be known as Kaleshwar Mahadev, a mosaic of rural art. She also expressed a desire to raise one temple each for Radha-Krishna and Durga at the site. This wish, too, was granted.

Perched precariously on a barren hillock on the banks of the Beas, devotees in their thousands throng to this lesser known temple to pay obeisance. The rush is unprecedented during Navratras and Durga Ashtami, during which they take a dip in the waters of the Beas.

It is a matter of concern that these ancient temples have fallen on bad days. The temples of Radha-Krishna, Maa Durga, Hanuman and certain local deities with disfigured images and fading frescos of various mythological figures and their mounts, speak volumes for their poor upkeep (see photo). The Gyrah Rudrax temple, too, has a similar tale of woe. The outer temple walls have developed cracks and need plugging to check further decay. Some other wear ugly black spots and are laden with wild growth.

Unlike the temples, the samadis of Mahant Gomti Nath, Mai Ganga Giri, Swami Krishna Nand Swami Bodha Nand are also affected by wild growth, with weeds eating away at these memorials of the Kaleshwar saints.

Yet another problem that dogs Kaleshwar is the non-provision of accommodation for visiting pilgrims. The only serai that the temple had caved in 1980 and is in a shambles. A group of pilgrims from Ludhiana pointed out that since there is no guide, one has to get information regarding the temple from locals or return empty-handed. They also felt the need for proper drinking water facilities and street lights.