Muslim Priests in Hindu Temple!
Posted by Robi - 09/07/09 at 04:07:46 am
More than 900 years old Shrine of Shiva is the only Hindu temple in Kashmir valley. It located on the banks of the icy Lidder River and built by Raja Jai Suria. Once the temple was a must halt over for pilgrims leaving to the Amarnath cave shrine in the southern Kashmir Himalayas. The temple has also images of Parvati, Hanuman and Ganesha carved in stone.
It was for long time maintained by a local association of Kashmir Pandits guided by Pandit Radha Krishen. In 1989 after Krishen’s migration from Kashmir, the Mamalaka temple became a protected monument and property of the state Archaeology, Archives & Museum Department. At the time of leaving, Pandit handed the charge over the temple to his Muslim friend Abdul Bhat. Pandit requested Bhat to keep the temple’s gates open and keeping the promise, Abdul Bhat took care of this temple until he transferred from the region in 2004.
After the migration of Pandits from a nearby village, 2 Muslim priests were appointed here. The priests are Ghulam Hassan and Mohmmad Abdullah. They kept the temple’s doors open & bells continued to toll. Ghulam Hasan said to a visiting reporter “We not only took care of temple but also held ‘Aartis’ everyday.” They are ensuring the safety of “Shivling” (3 ft-long black stone). The priests have also ensured no devotee leave the place without Prasad.
Abdullah and Hassan both were entrusted with the duty of maintaining this temple. They said “We have faith in Lord Shiva. We not only maintained the temple, undertook repairs but also ensured that the temple remains fully functional despite threats from the militants.” They added “We have fulfilled our task of guarding this shrine for Kashmiri Pandits. It is theirs. We wish they return and take back the control of the temple.”
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