Sans caretaker, ancient Kalinath Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple in Kangra faces neglect

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, September 19

The 400-year-old Kalinath Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, situated on the banks of the Beas near Garli Paragpur in Kangra district, is crying for attention.

The state government had taken over the temple, spread over 120 kanals, on the directions of the High Court. A three-judge Bench had passed the order on October 4, 2018. However, in the past three years, the government has failed to implement the High Court order for appointment of a temple officer. Dehra Gopipur SDM Dhanvir Singh, who is also assistant commissioner of the temple, says that he had written to the Kangra Deputy Commissioner on August 30, seeking sanction for the appointment of caretakers but the approval was still awaited.

Local residents Hemant Rana, Kewal Krishan and Jagvir Singh say that many people have encroached upon the temple land while some have even got it transferred in their names in gross violation of the rules.

At present, some saints are in possession of the temple as the government has failed to appoint temple officers.

Though a large number of devotees, including foreign tourists, visit the temple, there is none to take care of its cleanliness. Garbage can be seen littered in every nook and corner and there is no toilet facility in the complex. Stray dogs and animals can be seen roaming around even in the ‘havan kund’. Nobody knows how much offering the temple gets in a year and how it is utilised.