Shiva temple given facelift

Friday, 10 November 2006

Punjab’s border villages like Ajnala, Attari, Kasel, Bhakna Kalan , Serai Imanat Khan and Khalra are dotted with crumbling monuments of pre –Partition styles. Enveloped in mythology, the Shiva temple, believed to be visited by Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Rama, in Kasel village, near Pakistan border, is in ruins. The local Mahants claim that Kasel was native village of maternal grandfather of Lord Rama. The Kasel was named after Mata Kaushalya, though its ancient name was Kaushalyapuri. It is said Maharaja Ranjit Singh on a visit doled out huge money and land to the temple named after Mata Kaushalya. The Mahants ,who use the major part of the temple for personal use ,have carried out renovations. The temple tank made of Nanakshahi bricks has not been de-silted in years . The village children, unaware about the water-borne diseases, play in the filthy waters during the rainy season. Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to get water on camelbacks from the well of the Shiv temple, which could cure water-borne diseases. The record of the temple reads, “This Mafi (exemption) was granted for the maintenance of Shivala at Mauja Dhand Kasel vide letter number 520, April 13, 1875 by State of Punjab (registerial 93 Mafi, Tehsil Tarn Taran)”. The order regarding exemption was issued by R. Calark, the then Commissioner, Amritsar, in 1901. Later, Deputy Commissioner, in his order issued on April 1, 1941, also acknowledged the historicity of the temple. Mahant Baldev Giri claimed that the Shiv Temple had one of the four ancient Shivlings in the country. He claimed that devotees from far-flung areas used to visit the temple before the village was affected by militancy. He said during excavation the Mahants could not find the end of the Shivling though they dug up the place up to 30 metres. Mr Om Parkash, another Mahant, alleges that neither the state government nor the Archaeological Survey of India had spent anything to preserve the shrine. In olden days, pilgrims from far flung areas used to walk for months to reach the temple. But today one can drive up to the door of the temple. The Mahants claim that the temple like four Shiv Dhams is a sacred destination for devotees.

Amandeep Madra About the author: Comments (1) >> Show/Hide comments Dr. Amrik Singh Rakhra said:   It would be a shame if 25 million Sikhs cannot convince the state authoroties in Maharashtra not to demolish the Sikh heritage buildings. While I agree with the need to beautify the surroundings of the Hazoor Sahib, it does not have to be at the cost of the demolition of the heritage buildings. All they have to do is to look into the architectural techniques adopted by several Western countries and the U.N.O to preserve heritage buildings. I urge Sikh leaders all over the world, partcularly those in India, to get involved and resolve the issue amicably. January 04, 2007 Write comment You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

 

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