Kaleshwar Mahadev temple in Kangra District.

Why in news?

• Despite the High Court’s 2018 order for taking over the management of the Kalinath Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple at Rakkar in Dehara Gopipur, Kangra District with immediate effect, the direction is yet to be implemented.
• The entire temple complex was in the possession of some South Indian saints, who are also receiving the offerings.
• In the last four years, the situation has moved from bad to worse as many persons have encroached upon the land of the temple.
• Rakkar Tehsildar Amit Kumar had been given an additional charge of the temple officer but the government failed to depute regular staff to manage the affairs of the ancient temple.

About the Temple:

• The 400-year-old ancient temple situated on the bank of the Beas near Garli Paragpur in Kangra is spread over 120 kanal of land and is in a state of neglect.
• Kaleshwar Mahadev temple is a popular ancient monument. It is believed that Kalesar and Shiva worshipped Maha Rudra of Mata Chintpurni in this temple.
• During the Maha Shivratri festival as well as in the Sharavan Navratra (Hindu month), a large number of devotees visit this place.

Present Situation:

• At present, a private person is collecting the entire offerings of the temple.
• The temple gets a lot of offerings in a year and these must be utilised to provide the devotees with better facilities.
• The Rakkar Tehsildar, who is also the temple officer, said so far, the government had not appointed any staff in the temple.
• Besides, in a writ petition filed by one of the saint, Swami Vishvanand, the High Court had granted stay for all type of construction activities in the temple complex and the government could not take up the reno vation of the temple.