Youth-Led Initiative Revives Ancient Shiva Temple in Himachal Pradesh

Rediscovery of a Historical Treasure

Munish Sood
MANDI:
After being concealed for many years under thick forests and soil, a centuries-old Shiva temple in Harabag village, located in Jogindernagar of Mandi district, has been brought back to light. This remarkable rediscovery is attributed to a youth-driven movement that has reignited faith, historical awareness, and community spirit in Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh.

The Harabag Shiva Temple is not merely a site of worship; it is believed to date back to the era of the Pandavas, making it a significant relic of ancient Himalayan civilization. Although it had faded from the physical landscape, its legacy lived on through folklore. The temple's revival in 2025 marks a pivotal grassroots heritage movement in the region.

Situated deep within forested hills, the temple had been lost to neglect and debris for generations. As paths disappeared and worship ceased, the structure gradually became one with nature.

However, the stories of this sacred site remained alive among the elders and villagers. The temple's intricate stonework, large monolithic slabs, mortarless joints, and broken Nandi idols reflect architectural styles similar to other Pandava-era temples in Himachal, such as those in Baijnath and Mandi’s Panchvaktra Temple.

A natural water kund located near the shrine adds to its historical and spiritual significance. Locals believe that the water possesses medicinal and sacred qualities, a belief that continues to be honored.

According to oral traditions, the shrine was once situated along a crucial route of the former Mandi princely state, where kings would stop for ritual bathing and Shiva worship before continuing their journeys. This suggests that the site served as a vibrant spiritual and social hub for centuries.

The temple has endured the effects of two major disasters. Mughal invasions during the 17th and 18th centuries are thought to have caused damage to the idols and structures, remnants of which are still visible today.

Subsequently, the catastrophic Kangra earthquake of 1905 is said to have completely buried the temple under earth and forest growth. Following this, worship ceased, access routes vanished, and the shrine existed only in legends.

Over the years, fear and superstition surrounded the site due to its proximity to cremation grounds, broken idols, wild animals, and dense forest cover, leading to decades of abandonment until local youth decided to break the silence.

Efforts to unearth this ancient treasure began in July 2025.

On July 31, 2025, Vijay Bhatia, a member of the Jogindernagar zila parishad, along with local youth, formally reached out to the administration, submitting requests to the SDM, the Chief Minister’s Office, and the State Archaeology Department for the protection and revival of the ancient shrine. Despite multiple appeals, no official survey or conservation efforts were initiated for nearly three months.

Determined not to give up, the youth took matters into their own hands. Around this time, Shiva devotee and social media influencer Shivansh Sharma visited the site. His videos showcased the temple's condition to a national audience, sparking widespread interest and renewed local enthusiasm. He dedicated over a month to voluntary service at the site.

What followed was an extraordinary 28-day shramdaan campaign. Volunteers meticulously cleared soil, bushes, and debris, revealing buried stones, studying the original layout, and preserving each element. Gradually, the temple’s foundation, sanctum, and sacred water kund were uncovered. People traveled from afar to witness and support the initiative.

On December 2, the district administration intervened, halting the activities, citing the land as government property. The youth clarified that no construction was taking place, only cleaning, preservation, and worship driven by faith and service.

In response, the volunteers took a dignified approach: broken idols were respectfully covered, and regular worship of the ancient Shivling resumed. Morning and evening aartis were conducted, priests were arranged, and on December 15, a grand jagran and community feast attracted hundreds, symbolizing social unity.

To date, over 1,000 individuals, including NCC and NSS volunteers, students, villagers, women, and elders, have actively participated. Temporary waterproof shelters were erected to protect the structure from the elements, all while adhering to legal boundaries.

When the work was halted, the youth opted for democratic engagement rather than confrontation. A signature campaign across Jogindernagar garnered over 3,000 signatures, transcending age, gender, and occupation, all calling for official permission for the temple’s conservation and revival. Despite ongoing discussions, the official response has remained unchanged.

The youth are now seeking only formal approval and guidance for the protection and revival of the ancient Pandava-era Harabag Shiva Temple.

This revival is not merely a social media phenomenon but a testament to sustained effort, sacrifice, and collaboration. Key figures include Shivansh Sharma, Vijay Bhatia, and local youth leaders such as Kuldeep Thakur, Gaurav Barwal, Manoj Labbu, Vikrant Bakshi, Prashant Bakshi, Aditya Singh, Ashish Awasthi, Vatsal, Shubham Walia, Rakesh Kumar, and Nityanand Awasthi, along with the Gram Sudhar Sabha Harabag, NCC/NSS volunteers, college students, and village youth. The women of the area played a crucial yet understated role through their continuous service, food arrangements, and ritual support.