Historic 109-year-old temple, tied to Kashmir’s royal family, gutted in fire

A major fire destroyed 109-year-old Shiva temple tied to Kashmir’s erstwhile royal family on Wednesday in the tourist town of Gulmarg, 55km from Srinagar.Built in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, queen of Kashmir’s last king Maharaja Hari Singh, the temple – Mohinishwar Shivalaya Shiv Mandir, also known as Maharani temple – stood on a hillock surrounded by meadows. Made of wood and stones, the shrine’s distinctive pyramidal dome with windowed dormers was a notable feature, visible from all corners of Gulmarg.

“Police and locals helped douse the flames, but the temple could not be saved,” an official said, adding that the cause of the fire is still being determined. However, temple priest Purshotam Sharma attributed the fire to a short circuit from an electrical fault, exacerbated by high winds. He also dismissed rumours of arson.

For approximately 23 years, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a local from Dandahmuh in Baramulla district, took care of the temple dedicated to the deity Shiva and his consort Parvati, following the departure of Kashmiri Pandits during separatist militancy. Fondly referred to as “Panditji”, Sheikh diligently served, initially employed as a chowkidar by the Dharmarth Trust. Over time, he learned the rituals and conducted the puja, as well as the evening and morning aarti, in the absence of a regular priest. Sheikh retired in 2021.

Since November 2023, Purshotam Sharma has been appointed as the temple priest.

The temple was a popular tourist attraction, having appeared in several Bollywood movies, including the song “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” from “Aap Ki Kasam”, starring Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz, as well as in “Andaz” and “Kashmir Ki Kali”.(with ToI inputs)