ASI restrictions: A stumbling block for promoting Brijraj Swami Temple as religious, heritage destination

The historic Brijraj Swami Temple in Nurpur town dedicated to Lord Krishna and located within the premises of Nurpur Fort, continues to draw deep devotion from people across the lower Kangra region. The temple situated in the historical Nurpur Fort was established in the 16th century by the then ruler of Nurpur Raja Jagat Singh. The fort is a protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). However, the temple is unique and people of the region have deep faith in the deity, but restrictions imposed by the ASI have emerged as a major stumbling block in promoting this site as a religious and heritage destination.

The historical Brijraj Swami temple is a unique shrine in the world with a rare feature of worshipping an idol of Meera Bai alongside Lord Krishna. This rare feature distinguishes this temple from other Krishna temples in the country. The temple carries immense historical and tourism potential. The restrictions imposed by the ASI, including closure of the fort’s main entrance and prohibition of the vehicle entry on the premises, are peeving devotees, especially aged and sick people who have deep faith in the deity.

Despite these constraints, devotees from Nurpur town and the surrounding areas throng the shrine regularly to pay obeisance. The footfall increases significantly during major festivals such as Krishna Janmashtami, Dussehra and Holi, when thousands of devotees from far-off places participate in religious celebrations.

The two-day Holi festival will be celebrated in the temple from Monday. On the first day, the festival will be celebrated with flowers. Holi celebrations with colours has been scheduled on Wednesday by the Raja Sahab Dussehra and Ram Leela Club.

Elderly visitors and children face considerable hardship in reaching the temple as vehicles are not allowed inside the fort complex. It is also learnt that the ASI demands a substantial fee for opening the fort entrance during special festival occasions like Krishna Janmashtami, Dussehra and Holi. The demand for keeping the fort entrance open during these three major festivals without any fee and allowing passage of vehicles on the temple premises for the elderly and sick devotees is gaining momentum among local residents.

The Nurpur Municipal Council had also approached Kangra Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Bhardwaj to intervene to facilitate the opening of the fort entrance gate during festivals, exemption from official fee charged by the ASI and allowing entry of vehicles carrying elderly and sick devotees on the temple premises.

Devinder Sharma, president of the temple management committee, while flagging demands claimed that this religious heritage destination had immense untapped tourism potential. He said the state government should bring the site on tourism map. “The residents believe that the temple can emerge as a major spiritual and heritage tourism hub in the region,” he said.