Baijnath’s 800-yr-old Shiva Temple battles rain fury, faces structural strain

Continuous heavy rains over the past two weeks have left their mark on one of Himachal Pradesh’s most treasured monuments — the ancient Shiva Temple at Baijnath, near Palampur. Built in 1204 AD, the shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath (the Lord of Physicians), is now showing alarming signs of structural distress.

Cracks have surfaced in the retaining walls that hold the temple complex on the banks of the Binwa river. This is not the first warning signal; two years ago, similar damage was reported but no repairs were undertaken by the authorities. A visit to the site this morning revealed leakage in the roof, walls and even at the temple entrance, raising questions over the survival of this 821-year-old Nagara-style monument.

The adjoining Radha Krishan temple within the same campus has also suffered water seepage. Priests said the dampness has made it increasingly difficult to sit inside the sanctum, while the temple floor itself has developed patches of moisture.

Local residents recalled that the leakage issue was first raised by the temple management in 2016. Despite multiple attempts to address it, the problem persisted, and this year’s intense rainfall has worsened the situation considerably. “If immediate steps are not taken, the damage may become irreversible,” they warned, urging both the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the state government to engage structural experts to prevent further decay.

Baijnath SDM Sankalap Gautam, who also heads the temple trust, assured that there is “no immediate threat” to the monument. He added that the ASI, which holds responsibility for the upkeep, will soon initiate necessary repairs. The ASI has, in fact, already spent considerable sums over the last three decades on the temple’s maintenance and development of its surroundings.

The temple’s architectural brilliance remains a testimony to its creators, local merchant brothers Ahuka and Manyuka. Its sanctum (adyum), measuring eight sq feet inside and 18 sq feet outside, houses the sacred Shivling. The structure is crowned by a towering conical spire and fronted by a mandapa (pillared hall) with a low pyramid-shaped roof. Four massive stone pillars hold up this roof, while the porch rests on four sturdy columns.

Lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists visit Baijnath every year, drawn by both its spiritual aura and historical significance. Legend has it that Ravana, the king of Lanka, once worshipped Lord Shiva here, further adding to the temple’s mystique.

For now, however, the centuries-old shrine faces a pressing challenge: battling nature’s fury and human neglect. Unless swift restoration efforts are undertaken, the temple’s rich heritage could slip into peril.

Heritage in peril

• Built in 1204 AD by merchant brothers Ahuka and Manyuka, the Baijnath Shiva Temple near Palampur is a masterpiece of Nagara-style architecture
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath, it houses a sacred Shivling and attracts lakhs of pilgrims and tourists every year. Legends say Ravana once worshipped here, adding to its mystique
• With its conical spire, pillared mandapa and centuries-old stonework, the shrine stands as a symbol of devotion and artistry. Today, heavy rains and neglect threaten its survival, demanding urgent preservation to protect this timeless monument