Last winter for Lahaul temple?

Located 8,500 feet above sea level in the valley of Udaipur in remote Lahaul-Spiti district,the eighth-century Mirkula Devi temple a centrally protected monument finds itself in dire straits.

Located 8,500 feet above sea level in the valley of Udaipur in remote Lahaul-Spiti district,the eighth-century Mirkula Devi temple a centrally protected monument finds itself in dire straits. There are growing fears whether the structure will survive beyond winter.

Until now,the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has carried out only a few repair works in the temple,including the addition of wooden pillars.

While the temple compound is spread over 135.25 square metres,the actual temple,dedicated to Goddess Kali,covers only 66.28 sq metres,according to ASI records.

The structure is also noted for its wooden carvings that represent Buddhist as well as Hindu motifs.

Former Congress minister Kaul Singh Thakur,who recently raised the issue of the temples state of disrepair in the state Assembly,says,The kind of repairs which have been undertaken there has caused more harm to the temple. It looks ugly and doesnt suit the architecture. I have asked the Chief Minister to seek more funds from ASI and take up massive conservation works to save the monument, he told The Indian Express.

The government claims that nearly Rs 15 lakh have already been sanctioned by the Centre for the temple. Since the area is under thick snow cover now,there is no scope for immediate repairs or restoration work. The temple,constructed with wood,mud and stones,is particularly vulnerable to the vagaries of nature. We have taken up the issue with ASI and asked it to draw up a restoration plan and new conservation works could,in a phased manner,be taken after the snow season, says Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

In 1996,Laxman Thakur,a senior professor at Himachal Pradesh University,who has written several books,including The Architectural Heritage of Himachal Pradesh,recorded his concerns about the temple,particularly the titling of the mandapa and garbhagriha.

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Last winter for Lahaul temple?

Located 8,500 feet above sea level in the valley of Udaipur in remote Lahaul-Spiti district,the eighth-century Mirkula Devi temple  a centrally protected monument  finds itself in dire straits.

Located 8,500 feet above sea level in the valley of Udaipur in remote Lahaul-Spiti district,the eighth-century Mirkula Devi temple a centrally protected monument finds itself in dire straits.