Ancient Shiv Temple at Punjab border village, where Mata Kaushalaya worshipped

Kasel, a border area village in Tarn Taran district, is a place delivering a unique message of spirituality. The village has a dominant Sikh population comprising mostly Jat Sikhs, led by Dhillon sub caste. Members of other communities too reside in harmony.

The village, being established centuries back, has a rich religious inheritance with the ancient Shiva temple being a focal point for religious activities. The village has the history of having association with Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Rama, who used to worship at this ancient temple. The village’s old name used to be Kaushalyapuri, which has now been renamed Kasel. The construction of this temple is more than 2,000 years old, which was built by Maharaja Bikramjit.

Devotees come to the shrine in large numbers to pay their respect every year on Mahashivratri. It is believed that Maharaja Ranjit Singh came to the village for some reason and paid obeisance at the temple. Mahant Baba Shiv Puri requested Maharaja Ranjit Singh to drink ‘amrit’ (sacred water) from the well of the temple as the Maharaja said he was down with stomach ache. The mahant further said that this water was coming from Haridwar and added that by taking it his stomach ache would go.

When Maharaja Ranjit Singh drank the water from the well he got immediate relief. After that, water from this well used to be sent to Lahore for the Maharaja. The latter not only awarded ‘jagir ‘ of thousands of acres to the temple, but also offered an annual donation of Rs 1,800. The land was later distributed by the British among their loyalists.

In front of the temple there is an ancient big sarovar with a separate portion for women to bath. It is constructed with old style small bricks and is well designed. Though most of the land donated to the temple by Maharaja Ranjit Singh was further given away by the British, but even then the temple has 49 kanals and 11 marlas, including the agriculture land and the complex.

There are other places of faith in the village, including Gurdwara Bibi Ratni Ji and Gurdwara Jagrawana Wala. Kasel village is also connected with Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib, Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib and some others.

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