Srinagar: A 109-year-old Shiva temple associated with Kashmir’s erstwhile royal family was gutted in a fire that broke out in the early hours of Wednesday in the tourist town of Gulmarg, 55 km from Srinagar.
Built in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of Kashmir’s last king, Maharaja Hari Singh, the temple (Mohinishwar Shivalaya Shiv Mandir, also known as Maharani Temple) stands on a hilltop surrounded by grassland. Made of wood and stone, the temple’s distinctive pyramidal dome and windowed dormer are a striking feature that can be seen from anywhere in Gulmarg.
“Police and local residents helped in putting out the fire but the temple could not be saved,” the official said, adding that the cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained. However, temple priest Purushottam Sharma said the blaze was caused by a short circuit due to an electrical fault which was aggravated by strong winds. He also denied rumours of arson.
Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a native of Dandum in Baramulla district, has maintained the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati for about 23 years, following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the separatist movement. Fondly known as “Panditji”, Sheikh initially served as a chowkidar and received a monthly salary from the Dharmas Trust. He later learnt the rituals and performed pujas and morning and evening aartis in the absence of a full-time priest. Sheikh retired in 2021. From November 2023, Purushottam Sharma has been appointed as the temple’s priest.
The temple is a popular tourist attraction and has featured in several Bollywood films, including the song “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” from Aap Ki Kasam starring Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz, as well as Andaz and Kashmir Ki Kali.
Built in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of Kashmir’s last king, Maharaja Hari Singh, the temple (Mohinishwar Shivalaya Shiv Mandir, also known as Maharani Temple) stands on a hilltop surrounded by grassland. Made of wood and stone, the temple’s distinctive pyramidal dome and windowed dormer are a striking feature that can be seen from anywhere in Gulmarg.
“Police and local residents helped in putting out the fire but the temple could not be saved,” the official said, adding that the cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained. However, temple priest Purushottam Sharma said the blaze was caused by a short circuit due to an electrical fault which was aggravated by strong winds. He also denied rumours of arson.
Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a native of Dandum in Baramulla district, has maintained the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati for about 23 years, following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the separatist movement. Fondly known as “Panditji”, Sheikh initially served as a chowkidar and received a monthly salary from the Dharmas Trust. He later learnt the rituals and performed pujas and morning and evening aartis in the absence of a full-time priest. Sheikh retired in 2021. From November 2023, Purushottam Sharma has been appointed as the temple’s priest.
The temple is a popular tourist attraction and has featured in several Bollywood films, including the song “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” from Aap Ki Kasam starring Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz, as well as Andaz and Kashmir Ki Kali.
